Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni says he is a born-again Christian who puts God first in all he does.

As such, he has called for the dedication of the Nc’wala traditional ceremony, which celebrates the conquest of the Ngonis as they traversed the eastern parts of the country over a century ago, to God.

The ceremony is held every last Saturday of February at Mtenguleni village in Chipata, and is attended by thousands of people. During the ceremony, the Ngonis also pay homage to ancestral spirits and thank God for a fresh harvest.

The climax of the ceremony is the killing of a young bull with a single stabbing of a spear to the heart, and the sipping of its warm blood by the Ngoni king, although the later part is now said to be merely symbolic.

“Before the ceremony, we will need to dedicate it to God so that there will be no confusion because I don’t want it. I’m a believer. I was born in a Christian home,” the traditional leader, who is also known for social escapades, said.

He was speaking when he addressed the Nc’wala Organising Committee in Chipata during a fundraising dinner for the ceremony.

Zambia Daily Mail
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