An annual event known as Nsembe ya pa Chaka Ku Khulubvi was held on Saturday at Khulubvi M’bona Shrine in Nsanje District.
On a scorching Saturday, the ironic cultural occasion enticed numerous people, including traditional leaders, artists and members of Chipembedzo Cha Makolo, some of which journeyed all the way from Blantyre.
Upon entry into the shrine, people had to take off their shoes and walk shoeless as a symbol of reverence to M’bona.
With the heat, walking barefooted turned out to be tough but people had to do it anyway to gain entry into the shrine.
Both men and women wore black cloth at the event that is aimed at promoting and preserving culture.
One of the members of the organising team and renowned visual artist Eva Chikabadwa said everything went on well.
The artist, a former lecturer at the University of Malawi, also exhibited pieces that people sampled at the entry point to the shrine.
“Here, people pray to Chisumphi Namalenga through M’bona. They pray to be protected from natural disasters, diseases and other bad occurrences and that is what happened today,” Chikabadwa said.
At the event, traditional leaders first gather to rebuild M’bona’s house and a house for his wife Salima and his servant Chamanga.
After building the houses, they make a call for the annual gathering. Each Traditional Authority, including Paramount Chief Lundu, have a role to play during the construction of the houses. For example, Tengani’s duty is to lift M’bona’s house’s roof, which is built on top of his head.
Traditional Authority Ngabu in Nsanje is responsible for leading the construction of M’bona’s house, which is built every year as he is considered as M’bona’s son.
The night before the main event, people gather to celebrate their culture through dancing, chatting and beer drinking.
“There are plans to document all this information and then keep it safely in a museum that is set to be built,” Chikabadwa said.
There were a number of traditional dances performed in the Shire Valley, one of which being included Chikuzire.
