The district capital Namwala belongs to the Mukobela sovereign territory. Each year a ceremony takes place to honour Chief Shikaumpa who, according to oral lore, lived in the 16th century. The National Museums Board of Zambia made a Video of the ceremony last year, from which I made a series of pictures, complemented by photos which were taken by Elias Klaey last year. I also added a few pictures out of the almost 100 year-old book The Ila-Speaking People of Northern Rhodesia, which show an astonishing similarity to the modern pictures.
The actual Chief Mukobela, who is very active, also in taking care of the cultural heritage of his people, wrote an explanation of this ceremony, which was published in The Culture of the Baila.
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Chief Mukobela enters the event grounds with his wife and the District Commissioner Gevar Nsanzya
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Chief Mukobela enters the event grounds with his wife and the District Commissioner Gevar Nsanzya
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Homemade beer for the GuestsShikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – The warriors with mimic fight
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – The warriors with mimic fight
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Warriors carry out mimic fights, encouraged by the women
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Warriors carry out mimic fights, encouraged by the women
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Warriors carry out mimic fights, encouraged by the women
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Women and girls give tribute at the shrine of Chief Shikaumpa
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Women and girls give tribute at the shrine of Chief Shikaumpa
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Women and girls give tribute at the shrine of Chief Shikaumpa
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Women and girls give tribute at the shrine of Chief Shikaumpa
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Women dance accompanied by the drum and encouraged by the Chief and the other attendents
Shikaumpa Traditional Ceremony – Women dance accompanied by the drum and encouraged by the Chief and the other attendents
Shikaumpa Women and girls give tribute at the shrine of Chief Shikaumpa
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