AS the scorching sun radiated waves of heat, the village arena in Nawaitwika chiefdom in Nakonde district came alive, as the Winamwanga people gathered to treat their taste buds to scrumptious traditional meals in celebration of their traditional ceremony, Umutomolo.
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At the centre of the arena is a large group of women draped in bark cloth which is made of strips of the fibrous inner bark of trees, performing a traditional dance insimba, which is done by wriggling the shoulders and shuffling of feet to sync their steps with rhythmic beats of the drums.
As the beats intensified the dancers paid less attention to the scorching sun as they were lost in the trance of tradition.
Umutomolo is the celebration of harvest were various traditional foodstuffs are exhibited for testing by the chieftainess, who requests the gods to sanctify it prior to it’s consumption by the subjects.
As the dancers entertained the guests, elders watched with smiles as they were amused with the preservation of culture by the subjects.
Immediately men carrying chieftainess Waitwika walked in an elderly man recited a prayer in Namwamnga to mark the beginning of the traditional ceremony.
The 30th Uwinamwanga ceremony was themed “Enhancing unity, peace, and food security through imparting knowledge, skills and awareness of effects of climate change”
President Hakainde Hichilema who is the first republican President to grace the ceremony since its inception, committed to work hand in glove with traditional leaders to foster development in Nakonde which is a border town between Zambia and Tanzania to boost economic activities.
The President said the UPND’s development agenda will be anchored on unity, peace, security and stability in order to promote growth through partnership.
“This government has no other agenda other than working with you and other traditional leaders in driving development,” he said.
The President noted that food is ast the centre of any home hence he guided that water harvesting should be prioritized in Nakonde for crop production at a larger scale.
“We thank you for producing more maize in this drought year, government will continue supporting agriculture here we will ensure that all the farmers that delivered maize are paid,” he said.
The President indicated infrastructure development will be among government’s agenda for productivity and sustainable economic growth.
“The airport is an important aspect for us here. We will start to construct this airport this year, because of its importance for this country in economic terms, tourism, agriculture, we are building this border post to modernize it,” he said.
“Instead of driving from Lusaka to Nakonde many hours some of these people will be flying to Nakonde within a few hours. I would like to thank my technology minister Felix Mutati apa pens wambo (you have done well) to have that communication tower.”
He said soon, the country will witness the fruits of the hard work being put in by his government to improve the livelihood of the people.
“Our duty is to deliver development across the whole country, no segregation. That’s why the CDF (Constituency Development Fund) has now gone up since we took office, we found it at K1.6 million per constituency, we took it to K25 million, we took it to K30 million, this year we have taken it to K36.1 million,” he said.
President Hichilema said the CDF fund should be utilized for its intended purpose by lifting the face of constituencies, with developmental programs.
“Let’s make sure the CDF is used for the purpose it’s intended. And we deliver projects quickly on time so that we can bring more money, we are just working for you to absorb the money quickly, if you absorb the money quickly we will load more money,” he said.
“Because that’s where money must go to the people of Zambia across the country, because if we leave the money in Lusaka, there are big thieves in Lusaka they are stealing your money, that’s why we have brought the money here. So please utilize the money properly. Let’s continue working in unity as one Zambia one nation.”
Chieftainess Waitwika discouraged the indiscriminate cutting down of trees as it was shaking down food security, owing to climate change.
“For my people I wish to inform you that climate change is real and seriously threatening our food security due to excessive cutting of trees.
I urge everyone to stop cutting trees instead let us plant more trees for our own good,” she said.
The chieftainess requested that government considers constructing dams for irrigation avenues, in order to enhance food security, throughout the year in her chiefdom.
Distribution of farming inputs on time in the district was also among the requests to allow farmers prepare for the next farming season on time.
The traditional leader was excited for the establishment of a military base in her chiefdom as it will improve on security in the area.
“The upcoming international airport in mwenzo will create jobs for many and beyond. The presence of military personnel in my chiefdom and subsequent proposed construction of a military base, is a good visionary leadership,” she said.
“This will enhance security in the area being a border area. The construction of my new palace, the current ongoing construction of a tower within my area will improve the network and communication system.”
She further thanked the Head of State for being the first sitting President to participate in the traditional ceremony.
The guest of honor was ran through the uwinamwanga culture by the organizing committee.
Before the sun could set and cast long shadows over the arena, chieftainess Waitwika invited the President and his ministers among them Paul Kabuswe, Garry Nkombo, Sylvia Masebo, Felix Mutati, Elias Mubanga and Henry Sikazwe to taste the food.
The President and chieftainess Waitwika exchanged gifts to mark the end of the ceremony.
Story and pictures Mwaka Ndawa in Nakonde
Kalemba October 7, 2024.
