Chikuni hosts Tonga music festival

By Katwishi Bwalya in Monze
Friday September 26, 2008 [02:00] (from www.postzambia.com)

AN All Tonga Music Festival last weekend attracted 105 bands drawn from across Southern Province.

Hosted by Chikuni Radio Station of Monze, the ninth edition of the annual event started on Friday with entertainment performances ending late on Saturday.

The evergreen Amayenge Ensemble pitched up as special guests for the event.
There were 12 categories set out during the show.

With the overwhelming rich traditional number of performing bands, there was every reason for music lovers to be part of the show.

Thousands of people from across the country thronged Chikuni Village in Monze, the hub of the weekend activity, graced by District Commissioner Joyce Nondo.

Despite the fact that the event was a competition involving Southern Province bands, participants ensured the best Tonga traditional performances were on display.

Apart from being a musical show, organisers also added a fashion parade in showcasing the rich culture of the Tonga people.

Richard Chiimbwe took part in the event taking a claim in the Kuyabila category.

Yet it was young Manyepa Junior who stole the limelight when he was called to perform the kuyabila.

The-15-year-old social commentator captured the attention of people in the audience when he delivered a tribute song to late president Levy Mwanawasa.

Manyepa’s special display was captivating, thought-provoking and left members of the audience yearning for more.

Other bands that took part in the competition included the Katete Assemblage while Enoch Mbongwe scooped the Kalumbu category.
Emerging Cultural Artists Support Programme (ECASP) expressed delight to be associated with the festival.

ECASP executive director Melody Couvaras said the festival would boost tourism and highlight important aspects of the Tonga culture.
Couvaras said her organisation will soon be going round the nine provinces in the country to promote traditional local music.

“By next year, we are exploring cultural music in other eight provinces of Zambia and we have great plans to market and develop it at local and international level because we want the youth in this sector to be empowered,” Couvaras said.

SOURCE: The Post