Veteran musician Ben Mankhamba, who is also Village Head Chingalire, has created Chingalire Heritage House.
The Chingalire Heritage House, which he described as a “mini museum”, seeks to promote and preserve culture.
Mankhamba, who has made a name in the music rings, said Chingalire Heritage House was built by his parents in 1974.
“This is a two-bedroom house which is still standing and we have grown up in this house. It is a historical house and, so, I thought of renovating it using the same materials,” he said.
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Mankhamba said the design of the house is the same.
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“I have not changed anything or the face of the house but, rather, we have just made sure we give it more life,” he said.
Mankhamba said the house is being stocked with pieces that were being used in the past, notably pictures.
“People will be paying a fee on entry and this is not to restrict them from using it but, rather, to make sure they value what is in there,” he said.
Mankhamba the idea to establish Chingalire Heritage House was inspired by a house he saw in Lusaka, Zambia.
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It is one of former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda.
“It is a historical house where he used to live and has a few things inside. People pay a fee and I thought I should also do it at Chingalire,” the veteran musician said.
He said the house would be extended with time and that they were looking at graduating it from a “mini museum” to a museum.
“We want, through this house, people to the idea to establish Chingalire Heritage House was inspired by a house he saw in Lusaka, Zambia.
It is one of former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda.
“It is a historical house where he used to live and has a few things inside. People pay a fee and I thought I should also do it at Chingalire,” the veteran musician said.
He said the house would be extended with time and that they were looking at graduating it from a “mini museum” to a museum.
“We want, through this house, people to know Chingalire better, our family, where we are coming from (family tree). We have a manager who studied this and he will be on top of everything,” the artist, who has just collaborated with Chingo Dinga Nyasulu in the track ‘Mphungu Sataya Nthenga, said.
The house, according to Mankhamba, is next to his current house and is part of motivating young people not to give up in life.
“This is a small house; it has no electricity and is grass thatched,” Mankhamba said.
He said they would be connecting with players from the Department of Museums and Monuments to help out on its growth.
He said people would also have a chance to sample traditional dances.
“During unveiling, we had Mpotandebvu, who plays a traditional instrument known as pango. This is what we want people to see and appreciate,” Makhamba said.
Chingalire Heritage House is an extension of Chingalire Cultural Centre, which also hosts performances.
