Malawi served a good package of traditional dances, dominated by Gule Wamkulu and acrobatics that left the impressive audience contented at this year’s Kulamba Traditional Ceremony of the Chewa at Mkaika in Zambia on Saturday.
Led by Chewa leader Kalonga Gawa Undi, with Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema as the guest of honour, Malawi was the second on the lineup to display its activities out of three countries that include Mozambique.
Zambia, as the host nation, opened the showdown and it offered Gule Wamkulu that came in different characters and their acts took long before they paved the way for Malawi.
Malawi started off its feats with a speech by Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda before its chiefs, which included Senior Chief Lukwa, presented their report of the country’s status to Kalonga Gawa Undi.
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There was also a presentation of gifts to Kalonga Gawa Undi before traditional dances, which included Mganda, Chisamba, Gule Wamkulu, which came in different characters, took over the stage.
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Before Gule Wamkulu invaded the stage, there was a traditional dance strictly performed by chiefs that warmed up the floor.
The traditional dance performances attracted cheers from the people and the Malawi delegation, led by Chimwendo Banda, now and again took to the stage to appreciate the dances by dishing out money.
But before Malawi concluded its activities, people were treated to acrobatics, which stole the show, with many calling for more.
Unlike other performances which were cut short due to the time factor, acrobatics, performed by young people from Malawi got a chance to exhaust everything since it impressed many people including Kalonga Gawa Undi and Hichilema.
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There was also a traditional dance of tchopa offered by Lhomwe, which came to the event led by Paramount Chief Kaduya, who later also presented her gift to Kalonga Gawa Undi.
Mozambique came with its activities after Malawi but its performance was not that long, compared to Zambia’s and Malawi’s.
Chimwendo Banda applauded Malawi for its energetic acts after the ceremony, which united the three countries to sing one beat of culture.
“I am impressed with the performances which appealed to everyone. It just showed that Malawi is rich in its culture. As a country, led by President Lazarus Chakwera, we will continue to treasure culture and at the same time work with Mozambique and Zambia,” he said.
The minister also called upon the corporate world in the country to take interest in supporting culture which, he, said is vital in development.
“We have seen here, at Kulamba Ceremony that more companies came in. This is what is needed,” he said.
