Stakeholders lobby for harmonized cultural festivities
Calls are getting louder for the authorities to set up a cultural day where different tribes can showcase their cultural heritage.
Over the weekend, President Lazarus Chakwera graced the first ever Karonga-Chitipa Cultural Heritage in Karonga district.
Various cultural groupings have so far held their annual festivals such as the Mulakho wa Alhomwe, Chiwanja cha Ayao, Ngoni’s Umtheto from Mzimba, Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni and the Chewa’s at Kulamba ceremony.
Critics insist that while such gatherings and celebrations promote cultural diversity; they also pose a threat of dividing the country.
Speaking at the Chiwanja cha Ayao festival recently, Paramount Chief Kawinga proposed a joint day for all tribal carnivals to avoid unnecessary hostility should a President fail to attend some events.
Commenting on the subject, local political analyst Sherrif Kaisi supports the idea of a national cultural day arguing that it would bring together all Malawians regardless of tribe.
“This may not have an impact now but it has the possibility of bringing chaos into the country as slowly the spirit of Malawianism is fading away,’’ Kaisi noted.
Also weighing in his views on the matter governance analyst Undule Mwakasungula insists that national interests should be above these cultural groupings.
He stresses that cultural groupings are becoming like platforms for certain political interests and that is dangerous for the peace and unity of the country.
‘’No cultural grouping is bigger and important than national interests, we need to have mechanisms to curtail these cultural groupings from becoming political,’’ Mwakasungula said.
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