Organizers looking forward to enhanced 2022 Mulhako Wa Alhomwe Festival

Malawi: Organisers of this year's Mulhako wa Alhomwe cultural festival say they want to use the event to teach youths both cultural and academic values in order to preserve the Lhomwe culture.

The festival is scheduled for October 9, 2022, at the grouping's headquarters at Chonde in Mulanje district.

According to Blessings Makwinja, the chairperson of the Lhomwe Chiefs Council and the Mulhako wa Alhomwe chairperson for the Southern Region, the elderly and some senior chiefs are expected to use the festival to teach the youths more about Lhomwe culture.

Makwinja said local chiefs from their belt, as well as others from Mozambique, will attend the event, which is themed "Unity Amidst Diversity."

"As of now, we are expecting all of the paramount chiefs in the country to attend the festival," Makwinja said.

According to him, these chiefs are significant in the cultural context because they are essential in fostering unity among people of various tribes and nations.

"The festival is all about culture, and cultural owners are traditional leaders. So we'll need them to come," he explained, adding that their presence will demonstrate unity to the rest of the world.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event's preparations, Lhomwe's Paramount Chief Kaduya says everything is going well because they are currently receiving donations from various groups of people, businesses, and organisations.

"We are experiencing overwhelming public support for the 2022 Mulhako wa Alhomwe festival, so preparations are proceeding smoothly," she said.

According to Kaduya, extraordinary events will take place this year, making it the best celebration ever.

She has since urged people to go because there will be a lot of cultural, moral, and academic lessons shared with them.

Traditional dances, traditional food such as 'chigodo,' and traditional healings, according to Jubeki Monjeza, spokesperson for the event's organising committee, will dominate the festival.

"We have invited traditional healers from Mozambique who will be assisting people with medical assistance alongside local healers just to ensure that our bodies are fine," said Monjeza.

The event's budget is K180 million, which the grouping claims will be raised through contributions from well-wishers and businesses.