By Irvine Syazyombo  –
“Every July the chieftainess flies!” Kwilimuna master of ceremonies,Valentine Mabando, exclaimed excitedly as the traditional leader was dramatically carried shoulder high on her aerial royal seat into the arena.
Ibenga Township in Mpongwe virtually came to a standstill as all businesses closed, before about 5,000 people watched the traditional leader dancing on her ‘air-borne’ throne to the thrilling drumming and singing by meticulously trained children.
Bang !bang!bang! Shots from the muzzle loader regularly startled the multitude that included Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda, Mpongwe Member of Parliament Gabriel Namulambe, Copperbelt acting Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga and guest chiefs.

• Chieftainess Malembeka arrives in the main arena.

The chieftainess circled the arena twice before ‘landing’ in the middle where a stage with names of past Malembeka chiefs on each of its five tiers had been mounted. The traditional leader enthusiastically danced as she mounted the stage before appealing to the spirits of the fallen five Lamba chiefs to help her run the chiefdom.
Chieftainess Malembeka also urged the audience to desist from adultery and fornication, saying the vices lead to sexually transmitted infections.
“Ubuchende bulwele,uwachita ubuchende alwala (fornication and adultery result in sexually transmitted infections),” she said  as ululations and cheers erupted.
Soon, in a speech given on her behalf by Kwilimuna organizing committee chairperson, David Tewete, Chieftainess Malembeka said she concurred with other chiefs who felt a need to have an upper house of Parliament comprising chiefs.
And Mpongwe District Commissioner (DC), Godfrey Zimba hailed the chieftainess for her unique success in the fight against open defecation in her chiefdom and assured her that he would document Lamba culture and songs.
Following the DC’s assurance, Chief Mwinuna expressed sadness over boundary disputes between Copperbelt and Central Province traditional leaders.
He appealed to the Government to pay attention to the complaints and resolve the issue promptly.
“I am appealing to the Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary to attend to this problem. When we complain, we should not be labeled as working against the Government,” he said.
The chief bitterly questioned the wisdom of allegedly making the Copperbelt Province smaller by demarcations and    denounced the description of part of Lambaland, where his parent’s graves are, as belonging to another chiefdom.
The chief also appealed to the Government to ensure that young people in Mpongwe were issued with  registration cards so that they might vote in next year’s elections.
Reacting to Chief Mwinuna’s sentiments, Copperbelt Acting Permanent Secretary,Elias Kamanga,said President Edgar Lungu was committed to upholding the dignity of chiefs.
He disclosed that the Copperbelt Provincial administration had facilitated a recent meeting between regional chiefs and President Edgar Lungu in which the Head of State assured the traditional leaders of the presidential commitment to resolving boundary disputes.
Mr Kamanga said his administration had assigned a task force to tackle regional boundary disputes and assured the audience that the Government would not politicise traditional ceremonies.
And guest of honour, Labour Minister  Fackson Shamenda, said the Patriotic Front Government felt happy whenever it was criticised by chiefs and urged the traditional leaders to feel free to express
dissenting views.
“Walk with your heads high as you criticise us because it is only a person who criticises you who makes you do the right thing,” he explained.
He assured the chiefs that even if they sang the same song of criticism as some parties, the Government would not accuse them of working with the opposition .
The minister also appealed to chiefs to keep checking the Government on debt so that the contracted loans would productively be used to develop the country.
He urged politicians to respect chiefs and that it was not only demonstrated by kneeling but speech also; adding that his Government and chiefs mutually loved each other.
And after the speeches, the guest of honour gave out awards named after past Malembeka chiefs and the current one.
The Mumpulumbu Heritage and Culture Award was won by the young sparkling Kwilimuna Dance Troup that performs along with the chieftainess every at every Kwilimuna ceremony. Two of the outstanding stars in the team were Chilwano brothers Darius,16,and Richard,13, the only males among the girls.
“I want to reach far and achieve great things with my dance talent. If you have a talent, use it. Do not just let it finish without fully exploiting it,” Darius advised fellow young people in an interview after the ceremony.
Although the vast audience was visibly still thirsty for the entertainment , it ended sooner than they had expected. Time seemed to be unusually jealous. Unfortunately next July is far into the future.