Lubinda Ntongo Ceremony

Lubinda Ntongo Ceremony is a Zambian traditional event held every August under chief Mumena of the Kaonde people. It is an annual event that seeks to provide a thanks giving ceremony. During the ceremony the chief tests the first fruits of the harvest and game from the hunting exploits of his subjects. The ceremony attracts both local and foreign tourists as well as dignitaries from government and corporate institutions. The event helps to contribute towards the cultural identity of the area which is essential to the promotion of tourism.

There are no dull moments during the event. Bands such as Nsakwa Ya Ba Kaonde alternate with traditional performers to entertain the crowd to shonongo and machancha dances. In deference of chief Mumena’s area hosting refugees at Maheba, a parade of drumming and feet stomping Burundi’s stage a performance to an ecstatic standing ovation.

Kaonde, also spelled Kahonde, also called Bakahonde, are a Bantu-speaking people whose vast majority inhabit the northwestern region of Zambia. A numerically much smaller group lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Three groups with different histories are known as Kaonde; all are probably descended from the Luba people residing in what is now the DRC.