09/04/2024
HISTORY OF THE KUOMBOKA CEREMONY
Did you know that, the most prestigious and famous Kuomboka ceremony started in 1792 under King Mulambwa (the 10th male litunga of Barotseland).
It was Litunga Mulambwa who made the Kuomboka to be a colourful ceremony.
But historical, the custom of Kuomboka was first initiated by a man called `Nakambela` during the reign of Mboo Muyunda (the first Male Litunga of Barotseland) in the 16th century.
The man Nakambela came up with an initiative to evacuate The Litunga and his subjects to the uplands as a way of escaping from the floods.
Once upon a time there came a great flood called Meyi-a-Lungwangwa meaning 'the waters that swallowed everything.'
The vast Barotse plain was covered in the deluge, all the animals died, villages and every farm was swept away.
People were afraid to escape the flood in their little dugout canoes.
So it was that time, the high God (Nyambe), spoke to the man called Nakambela to make the first great canoe, (the Nalikwanda) which means "for the people," to evacuate the litunga and his subjects.
Thus, the start of what is known today as the Kuomboka ceremony.
The first Nalikwanda was called `Njonjolo`.
MUYUNDA MAKALA, Tuesday 9th April, 2024.
