Kulonga

Kulonga
Genre	Cultural heritage; Harvest festival; Traditional ceremony
Frequency	Annual (August)
Location(s)	Lundazi District, Eastern Province, Zambia
Inaugurated	1890 AD
Participants	Tumbuka people, Henga people

Kulonga is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the Tumbuka people in Lundazi District, Eastern Province, Zambia and Tanzania. ^[1] The ceremony is presided over by Chief Mphamba and centers on the kulonga ritual, in which harvested foodstuffs are poured into baskets to symbolize thanksgiving, communal prosperity, and food security.

History

The festival typically occurs in August and brings together communities for traditional dances, music, and cultural performances. ^[1]

In 2024, the ceremony attracted national attention with the expected attendance of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, ^[2] highlighting cultural and political significance. ^{[3] [4]}

Kulonga is part of a wider network of Tumbuka cultural festivals in Eastern Zambia, including Muganda, Zengani, and Vimbuza, all of which serve to preserve intergenerational traditions, promote community cohesion, and maintain the cultural heritage of the Tumbuka people. ^{[5] [6]}

References

1. https://www.lundazicouncil.gov.zm/?page_id=2435
2. https://www.eas.gov.zm/?p=8484
3. https://www.eas.gov.zm/?p=4018
4. Editor, Assistant (2014-08-25). "Govt reiterates commitment to promotion of culture | Lusaka Voice" . Retrieved 2025-09-07.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
5. https://allafrica.com/stories/200911090303.html
6. "About Lundazi – Lundazi Town Council". www.lundazicouncil.gov.zm. Archived from the original on 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2025-09-07.