Travelers are privileged to experience different cultures wherever they travel in the world, and your Southern African safari will not disappoint in this regard.
The Kuomboka Festival
Zambian culture is tangible in many facets of a visit to this destination, from dining on traditional food, to shopping in local markets. With over 70 different ethnic groups, festivals and parades are in no short supply here either. Wherever you travel in Zambia you are likely to come across colorful spectacles of pomp and ceremony, celebrating the heritage of the local people.
One of the more famous of these is the Kuomboka Festival which draws onlookers from all over the world. This festival manages to retain its authenticity despite the presence of visitors, and it is well worth making the trip to see it.
Coming out of the water
The Kuomboka (‘coming out of the water’) Festival takes place in the game-rich area of Liuwa Plain and can easily be incorporated into a Zambian safari. It usually takes place after the rainy season, when the upper Zambezi River floods the plains of the Eastern Province, usually in late February, March or April.
Dating back 300 years, this 3-day celebration marks the passage of the King of the Lozi people from his home in the Barotse floodplain, to the higher lying area of Limulunga.
Three days of celebration
Proceedings get underway with a drumming ceremony around the royal capital, performed by senior tribe members, to summon prospective paddlers to the king’s compound.
During day two, the paddlers register their presence in Lealui and take part in a canoeing workshop at Nayuma Harbor. Afterward, a hotly-contested canoeing regatta takes place and late in the afternoon, the paddlers assemble for the final announcement of the winners.
From early on the morning of Kuomboka Day, the sounds of the Mwenduko drum echo through the countryside, summoning participants to their posts.
An Elephant and an egret
It truly is a spectacular sight to see the royal barges proceeding along the river. The king’s black-and-white-striped barge takes the lead, adorned with a large replica of a huge black elephant, complete with dramatic flapping ears. A fire smokes on board to signify that the king is in good health. The queens’ barge with its large egret effigy follows, wings beating in time with the rowers.
Contact us if you would like to witness this unusual celebration as part of your Southern African safari, we have some prime spots picked out for you. Ask us about the new luxury camp in Liuwa plain.
