Dust settles in Nsengaland as new chief Nyampande takes his throne

Dust settles in Nsengaland as new chief Nyampande takes his throne
Written by Brighton Phiri and Christopher Miti in Petauke
Sunday, July 05, 2009 4:18:53 PM

TRADITIONAL leadership has been central to the lives of African people for centuries. However, with the advent of colonialism and capitalism, traditional norms have been compromised significantly by the western systems that attach monetary benefits to the chieftaincy. Zambian royal establishments have not been spared from the legal battles over successions that arise mainly from the selfish appetite for gifts and royalties.

It was not surprising that the installation ceremony for chief Nyampande of the Nsenga people of Petauke was characterised by statements of condemnation for court actions over succession disputes.

In his speech, read by local government minister Benny Tetamashimba, President Rupiah Banda led in asking the Nsenga royal families to stop aspiring to the throne through the courts of law.

“Whatever I will speak is what President Rupiah Banda was going to say. It is my hope in future that the habit of seeking to rise to the throne through the courts will end, now that we have installed chief Nyampande. Just like my tribe Kaonde, the Nsenga people are matrilineal. Therefore we must follow our custom when choosing a chief,” Tetamashimba said. Tetamashimba’s remarks were not in abstract but related to the prevailing situation in the Nsengaland.

Of all the succession disputes in Petauke, the Kalindawalo wrangles between the Mundikula and Nsangu families have persisted on account of a court action.

The succession dispute triggered off in 2004 when the Mundikula family dragged the Nsangu family to court in a bid to wrestle traditional power from them. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Mundikula family and subsequently Michael Nsangu Tembo’s recognition as senior chief Kalindawalo was withdrawn. The selection of Mundikula family’s representative Everson Mumba as Kalindawalo is widely receiving unreserved rejection by the majority local people, among them headmen and traditional loyalists on account that Nsangu underwent the installation rituals “Kuyanika”. Under the Nsenga tradition, when one is installed as chief, their rein is for life.

In the neighbourhood lies the Nyampande chiefdom, where Lusaka-based lawyer Sebestian Zulu has attempted to block its existence through a court action.

But his action was not supported by the House of Chiefs, which recommended that the Nyampande family of the Mumba clan should continue succeeding to the throne and that Eric Mwanza, who was selected by the family, should be gazetted as chief Nyampande instead of Zulu from the Kakwiya family. When Mwanza was recognised as chief Nyampande in February and June 27 set for his installation, Zulu renewed his legal battle, challenging the House of Chiefs’ recommendation. But Lusaka High Court Judge Evans Hamaundu dismissed Zulu’s action with costs to the respondents stating that the action had been wrongly commenced.

Busloads of Nsenga-speaking people from within Eastern, Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces headed for chief Nyampande’s palace.

“It is extremely encouraging to see all the Nsenga people getting together. Of course some did not make it due to some commitments but I am comforted by their unreserved support for this ceremony. We have installed chief Nyampande at the time when the Nsenga people both in the urban and rural areas are yearning to see the revival of their traditions and cultural values,” Nsenga Cultural Association chairman Stephen Mwale said. “We have no explanation or excuse to remain docile and inactive when the Nsenga ethnic group is one of the largest in the country. Time has come for the Nsenga people to stand up and be proud of themselves, begin to promote their cultural values through unity and love for one another. Therefore, I ask every Nsenga-speaking person to reflect on his or her contributions towards sustaining our Nsenga traditional values and identity.”

Saturday June 27, opened another chapter for the Nsenga history as both the young and old headed for chief Nyampande’s palace to celebrate not only the installation of their chief but also the restoration of sanity in the Nsengaland.

“It is my prayer that installation of chief Nyampande will signify the downfall of those behind the wrangles in the Nsengaland,” said chieftainess Nyanje. “I am one of the happiest chief because it is good to see our people expressing their joy and thanks to God Almighty for bringing them together to install one of their distinguished leader without any external interference.”

For the non-Nsengas, chief Nyampande’s installation ceremony could easily be mistaken for the tribe’s Tuwimba traditional ceremony due to the large number of people who thronged the palace. Tuwimba ceremony is an event when the Nsenga people come together annually to either give thanks and praise God Almighty for the rains and for a good harvest, or seek God’s intervention in the event of a calamity.

Motorists had a tough time to negotiate their way on the Petauke-Nyampande road, which was filled by the trekking villagers. It was business as usual for the transporters, who ferried their customers. Those who could not afford to pay, they walked their way while others cycled to the venue.

At the palace, Anglican Canon Father Fasten Tembo took control of the cultural activities, among them traditional dances from the Ngoni and Chewa people.

As dictated by Nsenga tradition, a selected chief is confined in an exclusion before being paraded before his subjects to undergo the rituals. For Nyampande, his exclusion hut was about a kilometre away from the palace. Muzzle-loaders were fired in the air as chief Nyampande came out of the hut to signify the beginning of the ceremony. As chief Nyampande’s entourage advanced nearer to the arena, the trigger- happy Nsenga traditional hunters “Ashabinda” let off their muzzle-loaders in turns, sending some children to take cover.

Nsenga traditionalists laid some traditional mats on the ground for chief Nyampande and his royal sisters “Mbumba” to step on as he was being escorted to the arena. Upon their arrival at the arena, chief Sandwe, chieftainess Mwanjabanthu and Nyanje were constantly on their feet to perform the rituals such as unveiling the newly installed chief.

One of the female traditionalists popularly known as Sokoneza also performed her rituals in accordance with the installation ceremony.

Dances such as Nsongwe, Chipalu, and Chitelele were part of the splendour. Sokoneza’s young girls led by their gurus, Tiyeseko dance troupe and Lusaka-based Nsenga chitelele dancers were marvellous to watch as they let loose their waists in tune with the traditional drums. At least “Bemba monkeys” were nowhere near to disturb the climax of the ceremony.

But the ceremony somewhat came to a standstill when dethroned Kalindawalo (Nsangu) arrived with his gift for chief Nyampande. Unlike his successor Kalindawalo Mundikula who received a cold welcome, Nsangu was escorted into the arena amid songs of solidarity and praise. As Nsangu received a hero’s welcome, chief Kalindawalo Mundikula buried his face in his palms. Senior chief Mukuni was seen talking to him, as it was evident that his popularity was being challenged.

Tetamashimba urged the Nsengas to follow their matrilineal custom.

The Nsenga people observe matrilineal descent. Chiefs are chosen from particular lineages within clans who rule designated lands, but exogamy between clans has created a situation where most clans are represented in each chiefdom. Although all pre-colonial Nsenga chiefs were equals, the British named senior chiefs in order to centralize authority and administration.

Tetamashimba expressed his happiness over chief Nyampande’s installation after a long protracted succession dispute.

“I hope in future it shall be very easy for us to get a new chief instead of going to parade ourselves in the courts of law,” Tetamashimba said.

Msanzala member of parliament Peter Daka, who is also lands minister, said the chieftaincy that was won through the courts was an embarrassment to the Nsenga people.

“The tradition of the Nsenga dictates that a nephew is the one who takes over as chief, the Nyampande chieftaincy belongs to the Mumba clan. If we shall be going to the courts every time to become chiefs then our tribe will be embarrassed. For the Nsengas, they cannot host their Tuwimba (traditional ceremony for Nsengas) because of the wrangles,” Daka said.

He asked Tetamashimba to help resolve the succession wrangles instead of passing through the court process.

Chieftainess Mwanjabanthu urged the Nsenga people to recognize chief Nyampande and respect him as their traditional leader.

Mwale thanked the government, Zambeef, Zamanita, Madison Insurance Company, Trade Kings, Acqurite, Nyimba Group of Companies, Zambia Sugar, National Savings and Credit Bank, Chilupe and Company, Sulmach, Daka and Nsenga elders for their generous support towards the success of the ceremony.

education minister Dora Siliya, Catherine Namugala (tourism) and deputy foreign affairs minister professor Fashion Phiri also attended the installation.

Others were Heritage Party leader Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda, UNIP leader Tilyenji Kaunda, senior chief Mukuni of Livingstone, chief Liteta of Chibombo district and chieftainess Kabulwebulwe of Mumbwa district.