By Mukeya Liwena,
Barotse Royal Report
IN my more than 20 years practical experience as a Royal Reporter covering activities at the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE Namuso).
One time, l was among foreign white Journalists covering the Kuomboka ceremony and we were seated capturing activities at the Namoo (open palace grounds).
l overhead an ongoing conversation among two white foreign journalists, asking questions themselves questions, but struggling with answers.
“Who are those men wearing white” (pointing at the old men wearing outfit, all white from head to toe as the lingomboti by passed us), “are they the Kings Chefs”? The first one asked.
I first let their conversation go on ignorantly, then when I realized they were completely blank.
I came in to correct them, “those are not the Kings Chefs, they are called -Li’ngomboti- or royal shrine keepers”.
In Barotseland tradition, before The Litunga or King dies, he chooses a place where he/ she will be buried.
And when the unfortunate happens( mande aitubeha) the area which was chosen, is turned into a village, one person is chosen to take care of the late Litungas grave. Those are the men who wear white clothes from head to toe.
That part of our Silozi culture and tradition has been happening for more than five hundred years of Lozi Dynasty, starting with Queen Mbuyu wa Mwambwa, The first female Litunga to the late Litungas Yeta 4.
Most of the unique royal graves are located in the Barotse plains. That rich and unique history, heritage or culture makes our region a place of outstanding universal value, because it has features which cannot be found anywhere around the world.
You might have heard of the proposal to make Bulozi a World Heritage site, the grave sites, the traditional canals, Kuomboka ceremonies as well as the rich and diverse Silozi Cultural and traditional lifestyle, found in the proposed Barotse Plain Cultural Landscape.
The rich and diverse Silozi culture and tradition, well marketed has potential to make tourists and visitors start falling on themselves to come to Bulozi, when UNESCO approves the proposal for the inscription of the Barotse Plain as a World heritage site.
The men wearing white head gear, especially the white top when the rest wear red are very powerful people, they are called “Lin’ngomboti”.
Royal shrine keepers they may look simple but they are more powerful than anyone in the Barotse Royal Establishment.
The planning and Preparations for the Nalikwanda docking area at Mulamba are advancing on good speed.
All departments are pulling there stockings to make sure they perfectly host the thousands of visitors and tourists coming for from near and far.
The Kuomboka Ceremony will be held on 20th of April 2024 from Lialui heritage Village to Mulamba harbour in Mongu instead of direct to Nayuma harbour in Limulunga Royal village.
Right honourable Prime Minister or Ngambela of Barotseland Mukela Manyando announced that the guest of honour is Mwine Lubemba, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga the second from Kasama Northern Province of Zambia.
