{"id":1747,"date":"2012-08-30T13:32:58","date_gmt":"2012-08-30T13:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/php7.innershed.com:10000\/virtual-server\/link.cgi\/212.71.245.84\/http:\/\/www.connectafrica\/?p=1747"},"modified":"2012-08-30T15:35:14","modified_gmt":"2012-08-30T15:35:14","slug":"sharing-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.connectafrica.net\/?p=1747","title":{"rendered":"Sharing Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"

The drums went all night.<\/p>\n

The village outside the Shakumbila Palace was preparing for their important ceremony the next day, with singing and dancing throughout the night.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>At times I would stick my head out my tent, to watch the festivities when the crowd with their drums would came outside the Palace where we were camping.\u00a0 They would sing and dance for a while, and then move somewhere else into the darkness, before returning to the floodlight from the Palace gate.<\/p>\n

Before sunrise our expedition team stirred, having mixed accounts about a sleepless night because of the drums, and how awesome it was to hear them all night.<\/p>\n

Not long after the sun rose, the group returned again to the Palace gates with their drums, and were let in to go wake the Senior Chief Shakumbila\u00a0on this important day.\u00a0 After a few dances, and laughs as they encouraged some of our team to join them, there was a break from the drums, but not the busy bustle of preparation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>After breakfast and our time with the Senior Chief<\/a>, we waited in anticipation for the ceremony to begin.<\/p>\n

A while later, the dancing group arrived again, with drums and spears, to collect Senior Chief Shakumbila\u00a0\u00a0who was all dressed in black with a headdress, and escort him to the field nearby where the crowds were gathering and waiting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are the warriors who have killed a kudu and a lion\u201d was the phrase that was repeated throughout the song, Mutapwe explained to me as he enjoyed the procession.\u00a0 He is the elder and headsman of Chiefdom Moono who we had given a lift to.<\/p>\n

As we got to the field where the thousands of people from neighbouring chiefdoms and communities were waiting, the dancing group led the way. Mutapwe saw me watching the procession and grabbed my hand, leading me into the dance.<\/p>\n

With my notebook, pencil and phone in the other hand, I must have looked quite a spectacle, trying to pick up the rhythm and steps of the dance.\u00a0 And just as I got the hang of one step sequence, it changed again.\u00a0 Mutapwe took me right around the edge of the crowd shouting something to them, that in the frenzy and excitement of the occasion I can only interpret as a form of introduction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Mutapwe, in his raw elegance, lead me back to where the Senior Chief was now entering the thatch overhang to sit on his throne, with all the VIP\u2019s and other dignitaries sitting around him, as the dancing group was presenting him.<\/p>\n

I found myself then sitting on the ground with the dancing group of mostly elderly women, under the only tree in front of where the Senior Chief was, and next to microphones connected to the car with speakers on top of it, as the public announcement system.<\/p>\n

The Master of Ceremonies introduced the Chief Representative to speak on behalf of Senior Chief Shakumbila (as he was not allowed to speak according to the protocol).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cWe have recognised your presence here\u201d he said, after acknowledging the guest of honour, the Deputy Minister of the Central Province of Zambia, and the 400 village headsman and councillors.\u00a0 \u201cWe now invite all the culture groups to come here\u201d to share their cultures through song and dance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>This annual traditional ceremony is called Ikubi-Lya-loongo<\/em> and is of the Sala people.\u00a0 It is a celebration of successful harvests and the strength of the Sala people in conquering other tribes and they acknowledge those cultures by allowing each of them to present.\u00a0 Some of the groups did dances of battle, others were solo acts singing and playing an instrument.\u00a0 People from the crowd and the VIP\u2019s would walk up to the performers and put money in their pockets.<\/p>\n

This culminated in the main dance, where the group of elders I was sitting amongst, who represented Chiefdom Shakumbila, explained the story of their heritage and founder through singing and dancing.<\/p>\n

The dance was about the Chieftainess (played by the traditional healer who appeared to be in a trance) who created the Shakumbila Chiefdom.\u00a0 She was \u201ca mysterious women who could perform miracles like blowing water from a bundle of dry grass.\u00a0 This endured great respect and honour because of such miracles. She was easily recognised as a leader\u201d explained the MC during his live commentating of what the ladies were doing.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a new warrior, not conquered by any tribe, a symbol of the lion.\u00a0 The lion is the one who has not been conquered by anyone.\u00a0 If you think of fighting him, he\u2019s going to chew you alive!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToday we recognise the 19th<\/sup> ceremony of this Chiefdom\u2019s victories in tribal wars.\u201d<\/p>\n

The guest of honour, the Deputy Minister, said in his speech that followed that \u201cculture plays an important role in people\u2019s lives. This Ceremony is not only to promote our culture and heritage, but also tourism and will contribute to people\u2019s livelihood. Apart from coming to Zambia to view nature and wild life, tourists take an interest in our culture and heritage.\u00a0 Let\u2019s share our culture.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s traditional ceremonies are very important for tourists and for us to display in a theatrical way our traditions and values, and as a reminder of our past.\u00a0 A mission without culture is like a tree without roots. \u00a0So let\u2019s cherish our beliefs and share our culture with our children.\u201d
\n