* The ambitious plans include constructing a hotel, golf course and dormitories
By Joel Phiri, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V said Mzimba Heritage Association has big plans to transform Umthetho Cultural Festival’s Hora Heritage Site into a top-notch tourist destination.
M’mbelwa V said this on Saturday in Mzimba during this year’s Umthetho Cultural Festival held at the traditional venue, under the theme; ‘Mzimba United for Land Preservation and Sustainable Development’.
“We want to construct a hotel, golf course and dormitories, among others,” said the Paramount Chief, while appealing to investors to join the Mzimba Heritage Association in such an ambitious project, saying they cannot achieve the plans on their own.
Graced by 1st Vice-President Jane Ansah, 2nd Vice-President Enock Chihana, former Vice-President Khumbo Kachali (2012-2014), former Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara, among other dignitaries, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V emphasised that cultural festivals present an opportunity for Malawi to develop tourism products and generate economic opportunities.
He zeroed in on the festival theme, ‘Mzimba United for Land Preservation and Sustainable Development’ by urging chiefs to lead efforts in conserving natural resources, including trees and minerals.
In his remarks, 2nd Vice-President Chihana reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting cultural festivals and heritage associations as efforts to promote national unity, tourism and sustainable development.
He described the annual cultural event as an important platform for showcasing Ngoni heritage and promoting cohesion among Malawians.
Chihana said cultural festivals provide an opportunity for people to learn about and appreciate the traditions, values and way of life of different ethnic groups.
“Culture is responsible for all that makes us, what we eat, wear and how we speak. It is our indelible identity,” he said, adding that the government wants cultural heritage associations to develop permanent festival arenas that can attract visitors even outside the festival season.
Chihana commended the organisers of the Umthetho Festival for constructing permanent houses in Ngoni designs at the venue, saying the developments have enhanced the appearance and identity of the arena.
He said the continued unity among Malawians despite the existence of different ethnic groups was encouraging, stressing that unity is key to national development.
Meanwhile, the next high profile annual cultural celebration is the much-anticipated Mulhako wa Alhomwe Festival, scheduled for October 18 at traditional venue at Chonde Culture Heritage Centre in Mulanje.
The annual Mulhako wa Alhomwe Festival is a boisterous moment that celebrates the Lhomwe tribe’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
The event, that attracts thousands of people across the country — which include representatives from various cultural heritages in Malawi and neighbouring countries — also celebrates the Lhomwe history through celebration of rituals, customs, traditional dances, songs and folklore.
It also includes art exhibitions that showcases cultural dressing, pottery, craftsmanship, warfare, traditional cuisine and medicine.
Just last month, Mulhako wa Alhomwe launched its website, https://alhomwe.mw to connect Lhomwe people worldwide and preserve the tribe’s history for future generations.—Editing and additional reporting by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
