Tradition, culture key to unity - Chitotela

TRADITION and culture has been signi cant contributors to Zambia’s attainment of the beacon of peace title, Minister of Tourism and Arts, Ronald Chitotela has said.

e minister says through the various traditional ceremonies celebrated across the country, national unity and harmony has been promoted.

He said this in a speech read by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Buleti Nsemukila during this year’s Kulonga traditional ceremony of the Tumbuka people in Lundazi.

Mr Chitotela added that traditional ceremonies are not only primary means of transmitting traditional and cultural values to the younger generation but are unifying gatherings.

e minister said the government was impressed with the commitment being exhibited by traditional leaders in ghting social ills such as child marriages and Gender-based violence, among others.

He said Government was taking a multi-sectoral approach to development, hence ensuring key stakeholders such as traditional leaders were not left behind in the implementation of the developmental agenda.

Speaking at the same event, the host chief, Chief Mpamba urged his fellow traditional leaders to always rule their people with love.

He said traditional leaders were mandated to put their subjects rst and desist from being overtaken by the hunger for power.

Chief Mpamba also thanked government for embarking on various developmental projects in the district.

He also called for tarring of the road leading to his palace, construction of a permanent structure at the Kulonga main arena and the connection of piped water, among others. e traditional leader also thanked the newly crowned para paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of the Tumbuka people of Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania for attend attending the 2019 celebrations. Meanwhile Paramount Chief Chikulamuyembe pledged to continue consulting with chiefs across the three coun countries for the betterment of the Tumbuka people and their host countries at large.

He further commend commended the government of Zambia for embracing a cordial relationship with traditional leaders.