BEHOLD THE KINGS ROYAL TOUR: Litunga in historic touchdown in Livingstone

HISTORY of the Barotse royalty has repeated itself, thanks to the just ended Southern Province Tourism and Investment Exposition that was held in Livingstone, from September 14 - 21.

Perhaps you might be wondering, what history?

It was the return of the Litunga of the Lozi to Livingstone, 72 years after the then Litunga, Lubosi Imwiko I who happens to be the father to the current sitting Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II, last visited the tourist capital.

Make no mistake however, the two visits, though in similar fashion had somewhat different purposes.

Whereas the purpose for Litunga Lubosi Imwiko I ceremonial royal travel to the tourist capital was to meet with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the Zambezi Boat Club in April 1947, his son’s was to grace the 5th Zambezi International Regatta, a curtain raiser to the expo.

And it was spectacular.

The Litunga who arrived in the tourist capital aboard a Zambia Air Force plane at the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport was accorded a welcome befitting his royal status.

The Lozi paramount chief, who was accompanied by Western Province Minister Richard Kapita and Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) prime minister Manyando Mukela and members of the royal family was received by Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale and some senior Government officials.

Among the notable officials were permanent secretary Mwangala Liomba, his deputy Kennedy Mubanga and Chief Chikanta, Chieftainess Sekute and Chieftainess Choongo.

Of course, there was also a crowd of people, most of them clad in traditional Lozi attires such as the Siziba and red head gear for men and Musisi for women.

The town which was literally brought to a standstill with lots of spectators who wanted to catch a glimpse of the Litunga was littered with people wearing red berets, a distinct colour among in the Lozi identity, especially during ceremonies.

He made a stopover at the Civic Centre where a procession was held. Everyone knew that the next day, there was going to be a flotilla called Kupuwana [loosely translated as playing on water], which was to be the epitome of his five-day royal visit to Livingstone.

And, no, no one would be blamed for mistaking it for the Kuomboka traditional ceremony of the Lozi which has not taken place for two years in a role due to low water levels in the Zambezi floodplains.

It is similar, save for a few distinct features such as the type of the royal boat and number of paddlers.

Kupuwana is a distinct water ceremony the Litunga undertakes when on an official or ceremonial tour of duty, different from the annual Kuomboka or Kufuluhela traditional festivals.

Instead of the Nalikwanda, it was the alternative but equally spectacular Indila boat used.

The difference between the two is that the latter doesn’t have an elephant statue on top and is smaller in size with about 60 paddlers while the former is much bigger with over 300 paddlers and with an elephant effigy on top.

In recorded history, this was the third time the Litunga had traveled to Livingstone on the mighty Zambezi River in a Kupuwana procession.

The only other time he did so in Kupuwana style, was in 1925 when King Yeta III came to meet with the Prince of Wales and the 1947 royal journey undertaken by King Imwiko I.

Isaac Mukelabai, a Lozi based in Livingstone could not hide his excitement. “As we are celebrating right now, we are happy as Lozis and we know that this day in Livingstone is a big day for us, especially that we haven’t had the Kuomboka [traditional] ceremony in two years,” he said.

Another one Sandra Lubinda added: “We have seen that culture and tradition is still there. Even in our homes, we must imitate what our parents were teaching us a long time ago.”

Erstwhile Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) board chairperson Peter Jones who was instrumental in bringing the Litunga to Livingstone said the visit added colour to the expo and regatta and had some positive impact on the economic outlook of the tourist capital.

“It’s a huge thing for Livingstone city. I see this as a re-launch in some way for tourism, especially in the area of domestic tourism which we have seemingly failed and I see this as a way of keeping the tradition going,” he said.

He added: “...that is exactly what we are doing at the exposition. We are trying to bring in new investors in the province.”

The Litunga’s water trip which lasted for close to two hours started from the Sekute monument in the Mosi-oa-tunya National Park.

The area is quite historical too.

“This is a place where white settlers had first settled. They were attacked by mosquitoes and most of them died of malaria. They are buried here,” Kennedy Sekute, a historian shared.

The Indila took off at exactly 11:29 hours accompanied by other smaller boats acting as ‘sweepers’ while other tourists viewed the ceremonial event from the comfort of speed boats.

About 60 paddlers were seen paddling the boat with Mr Liomba being one of them. As this was happening, the river bank was filled with many spectators who were witnessing what they were calling the 'mini Kuomboka ceremony.'

The Indila carrying Litunga docked at the Zambezi Boat Club at 13:15 hours much to the delight of the people.

The event was a run up to the 5th Zambezi International Regatta which was next on the Litunga’s itinerary, the following day.

It too was held at the Zambezi Boat Club - a place with many memories and ties to the Lozi kingship.

Adding to those fond memories, he too planted a tree there, the same way his predecessors did.

And in his own hand-writing in the visitor’s book at the Boat Club, the Litunga wrote: “I am delighted today for the opportunity to add yet another chapter to the extraordinary history embedded in the records at the Zambezi Boat Club magnificent work that must be supported by all of us, thank you.”

Earlier, the Litunga visited the site within the Boat Club where his father, Lubosi Imwiko I and King George I of the British Empire met at the Zambezi Boat Club and unveiled a plaque alongside the one his father did.

In a statement through his prime minister Manyando Mukela, the Litunga said he was grateful to all those who facilitated his visit to Livingstone. “For us as the people of Barotseland, this is a rare opportunity to be here and this history should be permanent. We are grateful,” he said.

He added: “To us it is a natural occurrence after our people endured moving on the boat [the Nalikwanda] from Western Province to here carrying our King, Lubosi Imwiko I to meet King George,” he said.

45-year-old Mataa Mubiana described the ceremonial event as magnificent and entertaining. He said the ceremony which attracted people from various places and tribes helps to foster and promote cultural ties.

Mongu based photojournalist Wasamunu Mubita said the ceremony symbolises unity. “The ceremony shows that we embrace one Zambia one nation [motto] regardless of [different] tribes. The ceremony has been done in Southern Province and not Western Province so there’s also a culmination of cultures,” she said.

The Litunga wrapped up his royal visit by attending mass at Saint Theresa Catholic Church on Sunday and visits to Victoria Falls whose local name is Musi-oa-tunya which means the smoke that thunders in siLozi and the Jewish Museum at the Railway Museum.

He said the presence of little water at the Victoria Falls is a manifestation of the reality of climate change.

“His Majesty the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II visited Victoria Falls today, following many visits before. He has been struck by the exceptional little water falling over the rocks,” Ngambela Mukela wrote in the visitors book at the falls.

This article was published in the Zambia Daily Mail Newspaper on 13, September, 2019. You can find it on this link http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/litunga-in-historic-touchdown/