Maravi

Rupiah, Mtharika to grace Bene Mukuni ceremony in L/stone

Rupiah, Mtharika to grace Bene Mukuni ceremony in L/stone
By Sandra Lombe in Livingstone
Wed 21 July 2010, 04:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda and his Malawian counterpart Bingu wa Mtharika are expected to grace the Bene Mukuni traditional ceremony to be held on 2nd August in Livingstone. And the Mukuni Royal Establishment has decided to remove the word Lwiindi from its annual traditional ceremonies beginning this year.

In an interview, chief Mukuni of the Toka people of Southern Province said the ceremony would begin on July 30, and the official ceremony takes place on August 2 at the ceremony square.

Chief Mukuni said among the invited guests were King of the Kwandebele, Mabena, Paramount chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people, Chitimukulu of the Bemba and Gawa Undi.

“Also expected to attend is King of the Xhosa, Mazha Mandela, who is the nephew of former South African President Nelson Mandela, King from Congo, all Mukunis of Kabwe, chieftainess Nyanje and chief Sandwe of Petauke district. Three chiefs from Zimbabwe, who include senior chief Hwange and chief Shana,” he said.

Chief Mukuni said the establishment had decided to drop the word Lwiindi starting this year.

“We are the first to do Lwiindi from long ago, but now all chiefs came up using the word Lwiindi which means ceremony. Now we (Royal Establishment) are dropping it. In December, we have a ceremony for the rains; we have Lwiindi Basilombelombe, so it will just be Basilombelombe. We are trying to run away from the confusion,” said Mukuni.

Meanwhile chief Mukuni said no politics would be allowed during the ceremony.

Labels: BENE MUKUNI ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT, BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, CHIEF MUKUNI, LIVINGSTONE, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 9:38 AM