2026 KULAMBA: Chitimukulu echoes Chewa call for Unity beyond borders

By Sylvester Chishimba The rhythmic beating of drums, colourful traditional attire and vibrant dances turned Mkaika in Katete District into a festive celebration of Chewa identity as thousands of people gathered for the 2026 Kulamba Traditional Ceremony. But beneath the colourful spectacle was a powerful message — that culture can transcend political boundaries and bring […]

By Sylvester Chishimba

The rhythmic beating of drums, colourful traditional attire and vibrant dances turned Mkaika in Katete District into a festive celebration of Chewa identity as thousands of people gathered for the 2026 Kulamba Traditional Ceremony.

But beneath the colourful spectacle was a powerful message — that culture can transcend political boundaries and bring people together.

Held under the theme “Unity Beyond Borders,” the annual ceremony brought together Chewa communities and traditional leaders from Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, reaffirming the historical and cultural ties that continue to bind the people despite living in different countries.

At the heart of hosting the gathering was His Majesty Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi, whose Mkaika headquarters provided a meeting point for a cultural exhibition of a people whose roots stretch beyond modern national boundaries.

The ceremony was also graced by Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba-speaking people as guest of honour, whose presence underscored the wider importance of traditional institutions in promoting peace, unity and cultural preservation.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu supported the call for the preservation of culture as a means of strengthening peace and unity.

The Mwine Lubemba shared that traditional ceremonies such as Kulamba demonstrate how traditional institutions can bring people together despite differences in nationality and community.

His participation as guest of honour added another dimension to this year’s theme — showing that the preservation of culture is not limited to one ethnic group, but can contribute to national unity and peaceful coexistence.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu reached out to Government to continue working with traditional leaders in preserving culture and strengthening the traditional leadership framework.

The Mwine Lubemba’s message resonated with the central purpose of Kulamba; to provide a platform where traditional leaders and communities can reaffirm relationships, preserve heritage and promote peaceful coexistence.

Addressing the multitudes that had thronged Mkaika, read on, Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi, in a speech read on his behalf by National Organising Committee member Reuben Kamanga emphasised the importance of traditional ceremonies in promoting peace, unity and cultural preservation.

Gawa Undi stated that Kulamba would continue serving as an important platform for bringing together Chewa-speaking people from Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.

“Our culture should protect peace and unity, not tribalism and nationalism among ourselves,”he said.

The message was particularly significant given that the Chewa people live across three countries.

For communities separated by international borders, the Kulamba ceremony provides an opportunity to celebrate a shared heritage without allowing national boundaries to weaken cultural bonds.

The Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi further encouraged young people to embrace education while remaining connected to their cultural heritage.

To Gawa Undi, tradition should not be treated as something belonging only to the past.Rather, it should provide a foundation upon which younger generations can build their future.

Government also echoed the call for unity. Eastern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Lewis Mwape, urged the Chewa people to use the Kulamba traditional ceremony not only to celebrate their culture but also to reflect on the challenges affecting their communities.

Dr.Mwape identified unity, peace and development as three important values that should guide the people.

“We are stronger together as one people,” he said.

The Eastern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary also called for dialogue and respect when resolving differences.

“Let us resolve differences through dialogue and respect our traditions,” he said.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary challenged traditional leaders and communities to use the gathering to discuss issues that directly affect people’s lives.

“Let us use this gathering to talk about schools, clinic, roads and jobs for our youth,” he said.

Dr Mwape also paid tribute to Paramount Chief Kalonga Gawa Undi and other traditional leaders for keeping Chewa culture alive.

“I salute His Majesty Kalonga Gawa Undi and all traditional leaders for keeping our culture alive,” said Dr Mwape.

When the drums speak

As the speeches gave way to cultural performances, the drums began to speak.

Dancers moved to the rhythm as colourful costumes and masks filled the ceremony grounds.

Among the most recognizable expressions of Chewa heritage is Gule Wamkulu, the masked dance tradition that carries cultural messages and stories from one generation to another.

To an outsider, the performances may appear to be entertainment.

But within the Chewa cultural context, they represent a much deeper heritage.

The dances tell stories.

The songs preserve messages.

The costumes and masks embody cultural knowledge.

The performers, meanwhile, become custodians of traditions handed down through generations.

This is the living heritage that Kulamba seeks to protect.

The presence of traditional leaders from different communities further demonstrated the ability of traditional ceremonies to create bridges between people.

The participation of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu was particularly symbolic.

As guest of honour at a ceremony centred on “Unity Beyond Borders,” his presence demonstrated that cultural celebrations can provide spaces for different traditional institutions to meet, share experiences and strengthen bonds.

Kulamba attracted people from different walks of life, including visitors from Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and beyond.

The continued participation of people from outside the three countries where the Chewa people predominantly live, according to the Paramount Chief, demonstrates the growing importance of traditional ceremonies in promoting cultural unity.

Culture and the local economy

Beyond identity and heritage, Kulamba also creates economic opportunities for local communities.

The arrival of thousands of visitors provides business opportunities for traders, food vendors, transport operators, accommodation providers and other small businesses in Katete and the wider Eastern Province.

The ceremony therefore demonstrates how cultural heritage can contribute to local economic activity and tourism.

However, the growth of commercial activity also presents a challenge — ensuring that economic interests do not overshadow the cultural meaning of Kulamba.

At its heart, the ceremony remains about culture, identity, unity and the preservation of heritage.

The continued survival of Kulamba is testament to the resilience of the Chewa people and their traditional institution.

But the 2026 ceremony offered a message that went beyond preserving the past;It was a call to use culture as a foundation for building a peaceful and united future.

The presence of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu as guest of honour reinforced that message.

His participation showed that the celebration of one people’s heritage can also become an opportunity to promote respect and unity among different communities.

As the final echoes of the drums of Kulamba faded from Mkaika, the message of “Unity Beyond Borders” remains.

It is a message that culture can cross boundaries, traditional institutions can build bridges, and communities can preserve their identity while moving together towards peace and development.