Malawi leader advises Yao chiefs to hold heritage indaba
President Joyce Banda has advised all Yao Chiefs spread around Malawi to hold a consultative meeting to harmonise their history regarding their origins and spread.
Banda who is on record as calling on her Yao tribesmen to consider setting up their own heritage grouping as a way of preserving their culture., noted on Sunday that the current history of Yao is disjointed and confusing.
The President made the remarks at the official elevation ceremony of Chief Nsomba of Blantyre who is now Senior Chief Somba. The ceremony took place at Chisawani Primary School Ground in the City of Blantyre.
President Banda indicated that as ‘Yao’ herself, she does not like the fact that the history of Yaos is confused or confusing.
She demanded that all Yao chiefs must meet as a matter of urgency to harmonise their history.
“I think it is only the Yaos that do not have a Paramount Chief,” said Banda.
She also accused unnamed elements of bringing disunity among the Yaos.
Initially, the Yao’s formed Ndamo Sya Yao, but the group died a natural death.
Recently Yao tribesmen set up a group to be called Chiwanja cha Ayao.
Commenting on the elevation of Chief Nsoma, President Banda said: “I wish to congratulate our Senior Chief for attaining the new position. Praises be to God the Almighty for this day and that the announcement I made a few months ago has now become a reality.”
The President noted that Senior Chief Nsomba is a humble traditional leader who has won immense respect from his subjects and fellow traditional leaders alike.
She advised the Senior Chief to diligently discharge his duties as a traditional leader, particularly in mobilizing his subjects in development activities, reiterating that her administration has adopted a deliberate policy to recognize and incentivise all Chiefs who display exceptional leadership skills, particularly in development endeavours.
Said Banda: “Chiefs are crucial catalysts for development particularly in mobilizing their subjects; they need to be encouraged and motivated and one way to do that is to promote deserving traditional leaders. Above all, Chiefs are custodians of culture and tradition and a nation without these to important values is like a tree without roots.”
The President advised the promoted Senior Chief to be impartial, humble and willing to listen to advice. She also advised the Senior Chief to respect the lower traditional chiefs.
The President donated a truck-load of maize to the Senior Chief to distribute to hunger-stricken households. She advised the Senior Chief to distribute the maize without discrimination.
