ANTI-LITUNGA FLIERS THREATEN KUOMBOKA
Fri, 24 Mar 2017 13:37:14 +0000
By Sandra Machima
FLIERS warning people not to attend this year’s Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi people in Mongu’s Western Province are circulating and distributed by unknown people believed to be against the Barotse Royal Establishment.
But the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) representative Induna Imandi said all those who wanted to bring confusion in the area would have themselves to blame should something happen to them.
Induna Imandi said the Kuta (traditional council) was aware of the people who wanted to bring confusion during the ceremony but assured that all those attending the ceremony were safe.
“In fact all those fliers are distributed by the people who are against the Litunga but nothing will stop this year’s ceremony, and those who will be found wanting will have themselves to blame. “And our people are not scared of those threats because they know the bunch of people behind those fliers, with motives that are aimed at quenching their thirst on interests best known to themselves,” he said.
The BRE said this year’s ceremony was extraordinary as it was lined up with various activities that would attract more tourists.
Induna Imandi urged Zambians to attend the ceremony in large numbers and support the country’s traditional festivals, adding that Kuomboka was one of the best.
He cautioned people who wanted to portray the province as if it was against the Government to stay away, adding that the BRE would continue to speak about the need for peace and unity in the country.
The traditional leader confirmed that President Edgar Lungu has been invited to grace this year’s Kuomboka ceremony on April 8. And Western Province minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu said claims that the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema would attend the event were unfounded.
He said those spreading rumours to scare away people from the ceremony should not be taken seriously because they had their own agenda.
“There is nothing serious of such nature and if they are warning people not to attend the ceremony, then what will they do?” he asked.
However, preparations for the ceremony have advanced and various activities have been put in place.
This year’s royal canoeing competition will take place a day before the Kuomboka, where competitors paddle from Lealui to Mongu harbour as part of the ceremony. The programme will include cultural dances on the day of the ceremony.
