LINDA SOKO TEMBO Writes
PREPARATIONS of the 31st Kazanga traditional ceremony of the Nkoya people of Kaoma district of Western Province are progressing well, the Kazanga Cultural Association has said.
The ceremony is a source of inspiration that brings peace, unity and tranquility to the Zambian people and is performed after harvest as a sign of thanksgiving.
In an interview with the Sun, Kazanga Cultural Association chairman Lytone Kaushiku said the event would take place from the June 29 to July 1, 2019 in Kaoma at the main arena.
Mr Kaushiku said in the past, the ceremony was also used to be a forum at which gallant warriors would be honoured for the good jobs they had done in terms of protecting their communities against beasts such as lions, leopards among others.
He said it was also a platform where Nkoya chiefs met their subjects to discuss various issues affecting the chiefdoms.
“Kazanga tradition ceremony is a thanks-giving ceremony of the Nkoya speaking people, which is performed after harvest. It encompasses all these aspects of life,” Mr Kaushiku said.
He said the ceremony was also used as a tourist attraction where people from different walks of life came together to celebrate and enjoy, and that it was used for research to see how rich Zambia’s heritage was.
Mr Kaushiku appealed to all Zambians to come on board and support the ceremony because it was the only ceremony that would take place in the province this year.
“We have a fundraising dinner dance on 21st June, 2019 in Lusaka at the American Dome. We are appealing for sponsorship to raise resources for the ceremony,” he said.
