There is double celebration at Nkosini in Ntcheu as Ngonis of Maseko Gomani are celebrating Umhlangano wa Angoni and the royal wedding of their Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V.
After presiding over this year’s Umhlangano Friday, the Inkosi is today expected to wed Rishaladza Khanyisa Mathebula who is also from the Gomani clan in South Africa.
One of the members of the royal family Owen Gomani said this is a joyful moment for the Ngoni saying their kingdom is growing.
“You will see that this year’s Umhlangano is special in a sense that we are celebrating the wedding of Ngwenyama himself. The queen is also one of our own from South Africa where we came from. Most of the guests have already arrived and some will be coming for the celebration tomorrow (today),” he said.
Mathebula arrived in the country few weeks ago to prepare for her wedding to the Ngoni king.
Speaking to the media recently, she said, as queen of the Ngoni, she will be encouraging young girls to remain in school.
Inkosi Willard Gomani V took over the reins of power in 2009 after the death of his father who had only been on the throne for one year.
Umhlangano wa Angoni as usual Friday started with Nkhwisulo where the Ngoni offer sacrifices to their departed forefathers, especially Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani I.
Speaking during the Nkhwisulo, Inkosi Njolomole said Umhlangano is an all-important function as the Ngoni of Gomani Maseko honour their forefathers.
“The beer, the cow we have slaughtered here are aimed to ensure that the spirits of our forefathers have a chance to enjoy what we are enjoying out here. We killed the cow with a spear to depict the life of paramount chief Gomani Chikuse I who was a true Ngoni,” he said.
The word ‘Umhlangano’ means coming together and this is the time all the Ngoni of Gomani Maseko come together to celebrate their departed forefathers, especially Chikuse who was killed in 1896.