By Sam Banda Jnr, Fatsani Kalonda & Innocent Kalikokha:
The annual free-of-charge Khulubvi Arts and Cultural Festival strolled its fourth step at Nsanje Prison Ground, attracting a massive audience that relished a buffet of traditional dances, comedy, music performances and local food.
The three-day event opened on Friday before the climax on Saturday, with most of the traditional leaders in the Shire Valley missing out.
Senior Chief Chimombo was the only top traditional leader at the festival and he faulted organisers for failing to invite other leaders to be part of the event.
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“This event is big in the Shire Valley and the fact that it carries the name Khulubvi, which is connected to the Khulubvi Shrine associated with Mb’ona, means we are supposed to have all the top traditional leaders here including Traditional Authority Ngabu, who oversees the Khulubvi Shrine,” Chimombo said.
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He commended the organisers for bringing Sena and Mang’anja people together to showcase their culture.
Nsanje District Commissioner Dominic Mwandira, who was the guest of honour, hailed the festival, led by Nyamithambo Arts proprietor Eric Trinta, saying it continues to elevate the Shire Valley.
“This is a unique platform that has helped in bringing together people in the Shire Valley to appreciate culture and, at the same time, engage with stakeholders on various issues,” Mwandira said.
On the absence of traditional leaders at such a top festival, Mwandira said they would brainstorm with the organisers and bring about change next year.
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Trinta, who is a musician and art activist, was quick to point out that the presence of the huge audience is a testimony that they were going in the right direction.
“People now know that we have this festival every year. We know we need to do more but we are happy with the pace we have taken. This festival is there to use arts and culture to change the narrative for the Shire Valley,” he said.
Trinta said the Shire Valley is rich in a lot of things, including being the home of sugar cane plantations, game reserves and historical places, hence it is supposed to be progressive.
He said that since they started the festival, the Shire Valley is beginning to wake up from its nap and partake in discussions in areas such as education, agriculture, tourism and arts and culture.
Apart from showcasing traditional dances such as Valimba, Maseseto and Chikuzire, the festival, which this year ran under the theme ‘Time to Shine: Let’s Empower Our People’, saw comedy from Antonio and Alufisha as well as music performances from Lucky Stars Band, led by Boniface Ndamera, Goma Nyondo and The Jazz Africa Band, Chigo Nyasulu, Wisted Bono, popularly known as Chimtengera, John Fire, Agorosso, Nyandoro Mthenga, Nesness and Lommie Mafunga.
