Mlakho wa Ahlomwe pleased with Tonga culture

Northern Region Mlakho wa Ahlomwe chairperson, Michael Gundaphiri has expressed satisfaction with Tonga’s culture saying if well nurtured it could promote integrity and hard working spirit among the youth.

Gundaphiri, who represented Mlakho wa Ahlomwe during the launch of Nkhata Bay Tonga Heritage on Saturday at Chintheche, observed that smartness, love and hardworking spirit among the Tongas, assisted them to achieve many things including education.

“You know this tribe (Tonga) is so unique; smartness, love and hardworking spirit among these people used to move together with education. That’s why there are a lot of well-known educated people from this district,” said Gundaphiri in an interview.

He said if the youth in the district could learn more from their elders, the Tonga culture would continue to have a rich and admirable history.

“I did not know that Tongas all over the world love their culture as we [Lhomwes] do. I was amazed as I was coming to this function; I was with Tongas who came all the way from Tanzania. This is really marvellous,” he said.

Gundaphiri said he was optimistic that the formation of cultural groupings in the country would not only make the tribes united, but would also market the country across the globe.

“I remember late President Bingu wa Mutharika who was our Patron (Mlakho wa Ahlomwe) once told us that his vision was to have “A National Cultural Heritage Day” whereby all tribes in the country could converge at one place and display their cultural activities.

“So when I see cultural groupings being formed and launched as the Tongas have done today, it gives me hope that one day late Bingu’s vision shall come to pass,” he said.

And speaking on behalf of all traditional chiefs in the district, Senior Chief Mkumbira said apart from promoting cultural activities, Nkhata Bay Tonga Heritage would also promote education among the youth.

He said Nkhata Bay was one of the districts that were brilliant in education but now it’s far behind.

“It is pathetic that many girls in the district fail to finish their education due to early marriages and pregnancies. If we leave the situation like this, we will be killing our district,” he said.

During the function, the Tongas showcased dances such as malipenga, chilimika, masawi, and the famous honala by Parker Town Band established around 1933.

Representatives of different cultural groupings such as Mlakho wa Ahlomwe and Ngoni were present during the event.

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