KUOMBOKA CEREMONY
by Lubosi Muimui
One of the functions of the Litunga is to exercise his power over the dangers and havens of nature which looms over the Lozi nation. Every year, the Barotse plains are invaded by the floods of higher levels that creep across the villages and pastures, compelling all the inhabitants to move to the plain’s margins, or indeed, in the hilly areas of the forest.
The Kuomboka, which literary means “getting out of the water”, is the central annual ceremony performed by the Lozi people.
The ceremony is performed when the moon is full. This is the prime time the omens are believed to be favorable.
THE FIRST DAY
The fist day of the ceremony is characterized by the sight of the maoma, the great royal drums gathered in front of the palace. In the evening, the maoma are thundered, proclaiming the imminent exodus that will free the inhabitants from the anguish imposed on to them by the floods. In actual sense, the sounds serve as the official summons to the royal paddlers to gather at the capital of Lealui.
The first lap of drumbeating is performed by the Litunga, the Natamoyo and any other senior induna. In the absence of the Litunga, the Natamoyo, and any members of the royal family or the indunas will have to be authorized by the Litunga himself.
Ordinary members of the public will then take turns to drum immediately the Litunga disappears into the palace. The Natamoyo will then supervise the phase which is strictly limited to men.
THE SECOND DAY
On the second day, the royal paddlers from all the walks of life take turns to register their presence upon their arrival in Lealui.
The training workshop for the royal paddlers is launched at Nayuma Harbor. The Ngambela flags off the canoeing regatta between the Lealui-Nayuma harbor and the Mulamba Harbor in Mongu.
In the after afternoon, the paddlers assemble in front of the Kuta. The registers are drawn, confirmed, and read out loudly according to the number of and sizes of royal barges to be paddled.
THE THIRD DAY — THE ACTUAL KUOMBOKA DAY
Early in the morning, the Mwenduko drum, otherwise known as Mutango or Ililimufu, is played in the Limbetelo, signaling that all is set for the journey, and that the Litunga will never spend a night in Lealui on this day.
As the sun breaks the sky, the Mwenduko is taken out to the Namoo where it will be leaned against a special pole. The drum this time will face the east — a visible indicator that all is set and the ceremony is about to take its full course.
The paddlers assemble in front of the Kuta once again to receive final instructions. Other paddlers will carry and load the Tuyami into the royal barges.
The guest of honor arrives and is taken to the Kashandi where he will meet the Litunga.Shortly after meeting the guest of honor, the Litunga walks majestically (Kutamboka) with his guest out the palace to the Nayuma Habor.
As the Litunga reaches the harbor, the Ngambela bids goodbye to the indunas and people who will remain and take care of the village.
The Litunga finally boards the Nalikwanda with (or without) the guest of honor. The Ng’awawa, Mwenduko’ and Mwatota then play the melodius tune called Ifulwa. The tune signals that the journey has started. One of the songs proclaimed by the Ng,wawa is Ndandamwalye which describes how the great Nalikwanda was built by cooperative unison of all the people. The second song, Amalabo, praises the royal paddlers for their strength, bravery, and tact.
The Ling’omboti, in white overcoats with white turbans, set their hands on the Nalikwanda pushing dressed it into the deep waters while the Ifulwa plays on.
The Nalikwanda finally sets off, heading towards an open area near the mound called Nengwana. Here, other royal barges will join and will swiftly travel in alternating circles, displaying a very colorful scenery. While at Nengwana, the melody will then switch to Manjabila. This song is played by the Sinkoya Band. The first melody, Sikota Mutumwa, praises the leader and supervisor of the first royal-canoe makers. The second, Kawabile praises the Litunga. Once it is observed that other paddlers do not paddle in conformity with others, the song suddenly changes to Macabula to alert the languid and unskillful paddlers. The paddlers who fail to catch up will be transferred from the Nalikwanda to other barges. Those who resist are thrown overboard.
The Nalikwanda will travel at least three phases that equally accommodates the drumming of the Maoma as it eventually takes the route for Limulunga. The Maoma are played to allow the paddlers to relax and take time as they dance in pelican style of bowing their heads.
The Nalikwanda will have to port at a smaller mound to allow the guest of honor to disembark and board the awaiting helicopter. The guest of honor will meet the Litunga at Limulunga-Nayuma harbor.
The Silozi band will then take over and play the Lishoma (Mwenduko) up to the place known as Namutikitela where all the royal barges will dock briefly to allow the paddlers to take a meal of meat and Ilya, and to relieve themselves.
The Ifulwa will again play as the Nalikwanda leaves Namutikitela.
The Lishoma will play briefly, followed by the Maoma.
The Sinkoya band then takes over and plays Manjabila up to the first landing at the Limulunga-Nayuma habor.
The Lishoma will play up to the second landing.
The Maoma will play up to the third and final landing.
Unlike the Sinkoya tunes of Manjabila, Kawabile, and Macabula, the Silozi Band plays Mwenduko, Ifulwa, Lishoma, and Maoma without an accompaniment of music, but with random praises and eulogies that are proclaimed in Siluyana.
As the Nalikwanda docks, men give the royal homage (Kushowelela) while women sing and dance Liimba and Limeka.
The Litunga, clad in the admiral uniform, finally disembarks from the Nalikwanda and greets the guest of honor who has been waiting for him.
The Litunga walks majestically (kutamboka) accompanied by the guest of honor to the royal pavilion.
The paddlers dance the Lishoma in an open space of the Namoo. Shortly after the guest of honor address the public, the Litunga, majestically leaves the royal pavilion and disappears into the Lyangamba, the royal courtyard.
At night, around 10:00 PM, the Maoma drums are sound.
THE FOURTH DAY
04:00 AM The Maoma drums are sound.
06:00 AM The Ngambela, members of the royal family, indunas, and the royal paddlers perform the royal homage.
06:10 AM The Litunga, the members of the royal family, the Ngambela and indunas dance Ngomalume in Namoo.
09:00 AM The citizenry together with the school pupils present variety of song and dance styles.
11:00 AM His Royal Highness, the Litunga arrives in the Kuta. Presentation of songs and dance styles continue.
13:00 PM Lunch Break.
14:00 PM Presentation of variety of performances starts.
15:00 PM The Litunga arrives at Lutatai (the royal pavilion).
16:00 PM Ngomalume, Nalikanda, and Lishoma dances are performed by men.
18:00 PM The Litunga leaves the royal pavilion and gets into the Lyangamba.
18:10 PM The Moyo Imwambo, togeher with other women dances Liwale inside the Lyangamba.
THE FIFTH DAY
06:00 AM Liwale is danced at Namoo.
09:00 AM The citizenry together with the school pupils present variety of song and dance styles.
11:00 AM His Royal Highness, the Litunga arrives in the Kuta. Presentation of songs and dance styles continue.
13:00 PM Lunch Break.
14:00 PM Presentation of variety of performances starts.
15:00 PM The Litunga arrives at Lutatai (the royal pavilion).
16:00 PM Liwale, Silenga, and Lishoma dances are performed by women.
18:00 PM The Litunga leaves the royal pavilion and gets into the Lyangamba.
The performance and weaving of various paddling styles, dances, songs, colorful scenes, dressing styles, cultural and traditional homage and multitude of tourists perch the Kuomboka Ceremony in the top-list of the water festivals performed the world over.
As the Nalikwanda finally ports at Limulunga-Nayuma Harbor, and His Royal Highness, the Litunga ascends and tread majestically to the Lutatai, many spectators feel and wish the ceremony could be repeated sooner than later. Sadly, however, it will take a year for them to witness another Kuomboka Ceremony. And to this effect, many pronounce openly that they will never miss any Kuomboka Ceremony.
© 2009 Lubosi Muimui
Access Kuomboka
lubosimuimui@yahoo.co.uk
Cell Phone: +260 955 673 130
+260 978 380 399
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