luapula province

Luapula province in the north of Zambia hosts the Umutomboko ceremony at Mwansabombwe village between Mwense town and Lake Mweru at the site of the Lunda royal capital established in 1890 by Mwata Kazembe Kanyembo Ntemena. The Umutomboko is a two-day ceremony that celebrates the advent of the Lunda and Luba people to Zambia from Kola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ceremony commences on Friday 26th July and concludes on Saturday 27th July 2013.

Mumbuluma Falls is a set of waterfalls just outside Mansa Zambia in the Luapula Province. The waterfalls are a national monument of Zambia. Mumbuluma Falls is made up of two waterfalls occurring in succession an upper and lower falls. Around 40 percent of Luapula is covered with water and there are a number of rivers and lakes. It has eight attractions in waterfalls, wildlife and cultural heritage.

Chief Mwata Kazembe opens the ceremony, performing traditional rituals at various sacred locations both within and outside the royal palace. Covered in white powder the Mwata receives gifts of food and drink from his subjects leading to the feasting and celebrations.

The second day begins with an animal being slaughtered and Mwata Kazembe clothed in traditional zebra skin known as muselo, is carried by eight men to a central ground where he is surrounded by his subjects who cheer drum dance and shoot volley guns into the distance.

It is here where he performs the Mutomboko: a Lunda dance of victory and the climax of the ceremony. Armed with a sword and an axe the Mwata wears the Mukonzo: a laden kilt comprising of over 40m of cloth assembled into a thick fold around the waist.

The Mwata’s assistant holds another piece of clothing, known as the Lucaca, and must keep up with the chief’s dancing. As the dancing continues, the Mwata points his sword to the north, east, south, west, and finally to the sky and ground, symbolizing that only God and death can conquer him. The ceremony concludes when the Mwata is carried back to his fortress.

The people of Mwansabombwe invite all visitors to experience this uniquely African occasion promising a rich cultural experience. The ceremony not only features traditional dances by the Royal Family but traditional Lunda and Luba feasts, as well as a taste of the fascinating history of the Lunda people. The Lunda tribe divorced from the Lunda state of the Mwata Yamvo in The DRC in the late 17th Century and settled in the Luapula Valley in Zambia where they now reside.

Located on the border of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lake Mweru is a freshwater lake on the longest arm of Africa’s second-longest river. It is 110 kilometers in length and lies slightly off the beaten track. Although the area is somewhat remote, it is definitely worth a visit. It is said to be a microcosm of what tropical Africa would be like if left alone. Water temperatures range from 21° C to 29° C making it pleasant all year round. Tourist facilities in the area are somewhat limited but the region is rapidly developing.

This lake is not geared for tourism but offers a wonderful window into village life in Zambia. The lake is so huge, it's almost like an ocean and there are several small towns along its “coast”, which is shared with DR Congo.  Many smaller fishing villages are also dotted around the lakeshore and fishermen can be seen casting nets for the tasty bream and tilapia/ Catfish, tigerfish, and elephant fish are also caught here. Unfortunately, the lake is being overfished from the DR Congo side, and size and numbers are declining.