Kazembe

Kazembe is a small town in the area where the annual Umotomboko Ceremony is celebrated in July. This is a reminder of the great Chief Kazembe. Legend has it the Mighty Chief Mwata Yamva ordered his people to build a tower that would reach the sky, so that they could bring him the sun and the moon.

Unfortunately the tower collapsed in useless attempts to build it, and many of the families fled in terror from the chief, led by Kazembe. The refugee tribe travelled south across the river conquering nearly all the tribes they came across.

Every time they won a battle and conquered a tribe they celebrated a victory they called Umotomboko. The two day ceremony is a very grand affair involving ritual performances, pounding drums, and lots of eating and drinking.

The chief, smeared with white powder, and wearing brightly coloured cotton skirts with a western suit jacket goes to pay homage to his ancestral spirits. The Umotomboko Ceremony is unique and you'll kick yourself if you miss it.

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