Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival is a colorful celebration in Zambia staged by the Ngoni people, who live in the eastern part of Zambia. The event is marked by traditional dancing and music. The best warrior dancers are rewarded for their efforts. It is celebrated ever year on 24 February in Mutenguleni 15 kms south-west of Chipata. The Ngoni people occupy the Eastern province of the country and it is believed they lived in that region since 1835. In the Ngoni tradition, the Paramount Ngoni chief offers the first harvest of the season. This offering of the Paramount Ngoni chief is celebrated as the Harvest Festival in Zambia.

The event is marked by local dance and music. During the festival, 12 local chiefs from the Eastern Province of the country assemble at the venue with their troops of finest dancers. These dancers perform the local dances of the region which is enjoyed by all spectators of the region. Each of these dance troops perform before the Paramount chief and the chief selects one group as the best warrior dancers and gives them award. The Paramount chief not only selects the best dance troop but also takes part in dancing. The chief is offered the blood of the cow which is killed at the N'cwala and is a symbol of the first harvest food. This offering of the blood is also considered as the blessing of the people of the region to start harvesting and eating. There are several colorful Festivals in Zambia that are the source of entertainment for the people of this region.