Nc’wala Ceremony
In February
The sector includes all accommodation, food and transfer services
6 Days
At the ceremony, the Ngoni people pay homage to their ancestral spirits, commemorating their victories during their tribal wars, during their migration from current day South Africa and praising their God for giving them fresh crops in the fields
Day 1 : Arrival
After a hearty welcome the guide will notify you of all the departure times and he will be readily available to answer any questions of interest you might have.
Day 2 :
Preliminary and Arrival of Guests of Honor
Right Ngwenyama (the Great Lion) Inkosi Yamakosi (King of Kings) Mpezeni IV, Paramount Chief of the Jere Ngoni, will preside over the Nc’wala Ceremony. His image stands alongside the Bwalo (arena) at Mtenguleni Village
Day 3 :
The dance most commonly performed is the Ingoma, which is a celebration of harvest home. It is characterized by rhythmic stamping and by the thrusting of spears (mikondo) and knobkerries (nduku).
Day 4 :
Throughout proceedings the praises (izibongo) of the King of Kings are sung, by Praise-singers (iimbongi) and by bare-breasted women who express the ecstasy that they experience in his presence by ululation and by rolling on the ground before him. Common refrains are the cries of Bayete and Siyaduma Inkosi, ‘Hail to the King of Kings’!
Day 5 :
These they mix with medicines and the inkosi eats it without the people knowing. The belief was that if the Paramount ate the first-fruits carelessly, or if the people were the first to taste the first-fruits of the year, there would be disaster for the inkosi and the country.
Day 6 : Transfer To Lusaka
On this day you will be transferred back to Lusaka Zambia, which marks the end of our tour.
Kuomboka Ceremony
In April
The sector includes all accommodation, food and transfer services
9 DAYS
Each year in Zambia’s Western Province the Litunga – the King/Paramount Chief of the Malozi people, moves in a symbolic ceremony known as the Kuomboka (“get out of water”).
This ancient ceremony celebrates the move of the Litunga from his ‘summer’ home at Lealui in the flooded villages of the Barotse Floodplain, to his ‘winter’ home in Limulunga on the higher ground, until the flooded plains subside in June/July.
Day 1 : Arrival
After a hearty welcome the guide will notify you of all the departure times and he will be readily available to answer any questions of interest you might have.
You should be ready to travel, then procreed to Katete village the closest village to access the Kulamba traditional ceremony.
Day 2 :
At 21:00, the Maoma Royal drums are beaten at Lealui to summon paddlers for the Kuomboka Ceremony. This is a special occasion as the Maoma are first beaten by His Majesty, Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II (Mbumu wa Maoma) and then members of the Royal Family led by Natamoyo, Indunas, and the general public take turns to sound the Royal drums. The Maoma are beaten non stop until about 23:00. It is said that on a quiet night, the sound of Maoma can be heard up to 15 kilometres away.
Day 3 :
Hundreds of people descend on Lealui, including paddlers from various parts of Barotseland. The Royal Canoeing Regatta takes place on this day where the competition is flagged off by His Majesty, the Litunga.
Day 3 :
Hundreds of people descend on Lealui, including paddlers from various parts of Barotseland. The Royal Canoeing Regatta takes place on this day where the competition is flagged off by His Majesty, the Litunga.
Day 4 :
At 07:00 the Mutango, the first and oldest Royal drum, is played at Limbetelo, sending the message that the Litunga of Barotseland is set for the journey to Limulunga. At Mongu harbour, people gather to travel by various boats to Lealui through the flooded Barotse plain.
At approximately 09:30, His Majesty the Litunga, dressed in traditional Silozi kilt (sikutingo), leaves the Palace and, in keeping in tune with the Royal drums, walks majestically to Lealui Nayuma Harbour.
Day 5 :
At 05:00, the Maoma Royal Drums are beaten following the same procedure till 07:00. The Maoma Royal drums will not be sounded again till Kufuluhela Ceremony, when his Majesty, the Litunga, returns to Lealui. This is followed by Silozi Royal salute (kushowelela) by the Ngambela (Prime Minister), Indunas, and paddlers.
A variety of traditional songs and dances are performed.Ngommalume Royal dance performed at the Palace Square (Namoo), is the major activity of the day after Maoma. Ngomalume means men’s dance. It is a warrior’s dance after a victorious conquest. Men wear animal skins (lipatelo) or traditional kilts (liziba) and red berets (mashushu). These skillful dancers entertain the Litunga and thousands of visitors, tourists, and the general public. Ngomalume ends with Nalikanda and Lishoma.
In the evening, women prepare for liwale dance (kushunela liwale) in the palace yard.
Day 6 :
Liwale Royal dance is the major dance of the day. It is performed by women led by princesses. All women wear flamboyant traditional Silozi dress known as misisi. They dance to the rhythm of the Royal drums without a song. This dance ends with the Silenga and Lishoma dances.
Day 7 :
The major traditional dances are siyemboka and lilombola performed by the subjects of both Mwene Chiyengele and Mwene Kandala of Nanoko and Mabumbu respectively. These are performed in front of the Litunga.
Day 8 : End of ceremony
The major traditional dances are siyemboka and lilombola performed by the subjects of both Mwene Chiyengele and Mwene Kandala of Nanoko and Mabumbu respectively. These are performed in front of the Litunga.
Day 9 : Transfer To Lusaka
On this day you will be transferred back to Lusaka Zambia, which marks the end of our tour.
KULAMBA CEREMONY
IN AUGUST
The sector includes all accommodation, food and transfer services
7 DAYS
Kulamba is a traditional ceremony held annually by the Chewa people from Mozambique, Malawi as well as Zambia, where it is held. Chewa people pay homage to the Chewa Chief, Kalonga Gawa Undi, and also celebrate their culture through tradition attire and dances. The ceremony offers a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding between different communities and nations. By participating in this event, international visitors can gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of African cultures and traditions. It is a chance to bridge cultural divides, foster mutual respect, and celebrate the shared humanity that unites us all. In this way, the Kulamba kubwalo ceremony serves as a powerful symbol of unity and solidarity among people of different backgrounds and nationalities.
Day 1 : Transfer To Katete town
After a hearty welcome the guide will notify you of all the departure times and he will be readily available to answer any questions of interest you might have.
You should be ready to travel, then procreed to Katete village the closest village to access the Kulamba traditional ceremony.
Day 2 : Kulamba Ceremony
The Kulamba Traditional Ceremony is an annual event held in Zambia. The traditional ceremony of Kulamba is normally held in the last week of August.
Day 3 : Kulamba Ceremony
All the subordinate chiefs in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique come to Katete at Mkaika to pay their tributes and join in the celebrations with their people & are entertained to a variety of dances that are from three countries.
Day 4 : Kulamba Ceremony
The type of dance depends to a larger extent on the nature of the occasion. More than 30 different masquerade dances are performed at a single festival with each dancer adorning a different mask in an array of colors.
Day 5 : Kulamba Ceremony
Another important function of the Kulamba is the girls’ initiation ceremony. As Kulamba is celebrated the young teenage girls who come of age leave their home where they would have spent time learning life skills and responsibilities of adult womanhood.
Day 6 : End of Traditional Ceremony
On the last day people prepare various activities to be displayed to their traditional ruler. Government officials from the three countries normally would be present.
Day 7 : Transfer To Lusaka
On this day you will be transferred back to Lusaka Zambia, which marks the end of our tour.
LIKUMBI LYA MIZE CEREMONY
IN AUGUST
The sector includes all accommodation, food and transfer services
7 DAYS
The Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony of the Luvale speaking people of North western is one spectacular traditional event that draws tourists from within Zambia and Abroad.
Every year in the month of August, Zambezi District of Northwestern Province of Zambia becomes a hive of activities as Luvale speaking people from all corners of Zambia converge and celebrate the Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony.
The main attraction of the Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony is the Makishi Masquerades.
Day 1 : Arrival
After a hearty welcome the guide will notify you of all the departure times and he will be readily available to answer any questions of interest you might have.
Day 2 : Likumbi Lya Mize
The Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony usually takes five days and is held in the last week of August every year.
Day 3 : Likumbi Lya Mize
This ceremony starts early in the morning with about 102 masquerades and lasts over three hours.
Day 4 : Likumbi Lya Mize
The masquerade go to the traditional dancing arena called Chilende where they perform in the Zambezi plains in the east bank in the afternoon.
Day 5 : Likumbi Lya Mize
Each masquerade is designed differently, performs a unique dance and also carries a distinctive connotation.
Day 6 : End of Traditional Ceremony
On the final day, the ceremony starts with entertainment before the visiting chiefs and other dignitaries make their way into the main arena.
Day 7 : Transfer To Lusaka
On this day you will be transferred back to Lusaka Zambia, which marks the end of our tour.
UMUTOMBOKO
IN JULY
The sector includes all accommodation, food and transfer services
4 DAYS
Day 1 : Arrival
After a hearty welcome the guide will notify you of all the departure times and he will be readily available to answer any questions of interest you might have.
Day 2 :
The day concludes with subjects presenting gifts to the chief who is covered in white powder. During the final day, the chief performs the ‘Umutomboko’, the royal dance. For this occasion, he is dressed in a long blue, white and red skirt called a ‘Mukonzo’, a crown and in his hands he carries an axe and sword.
Day 3 :
As he dances, his assistant who holds his Munkonzo keeps up with him. The ceremony concludes when the chief is carried back to the palace. Subjects and visitors continue the celebrations with traditional brew and drumming.
Day 4 : End of ceremony
On this day you will be transferred back to Lusaka Zambia, which marks the end of our tour.
