Shimunenga is a ceremony of the Ba-
Ila people of Maala in
Namwala District,
Zambia
Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bor ...
. It is celebrated on the weekend of the
full moon in September or October. It is named after the legendary warrior Shimunenga, who won a battle for the people's territory against his brother.
Early in the morning of the first day, people gather at the shrine of Shimunenga, to chant traditional songs. There is also a cultural march of women and girls in traditional attire, followed by performances by traditional dancers.
On the following morning, a drum sounds and animals are taken to the river, where cattle are displayed in the traditional manner.
The first cattle to cross the river will be those of the custodian of the shrine. This is followed by a demonstration of a mock lion hunt and pelican fishing. The occasion is marked with traditional songs in honour and praise of the Shimunenga ancestral spirits. Celebrations continue in the village with pit-stops for traditional beer at different places.
References
External links
Namwala Cultural and Traditional Trust
Festivals in Zambia
Religious festivals in Africa
Folk festivals in Africa
Spring (season) in Zambia
Spring holidays (Southern Hemisphere)
{{zambia-stub