Mulhako holds festival: Mutharika warns politicians against hijacking cultural groups

President Peter Mutharika has warned politicians against hijacking cultural groups, saying this tendency divides people.

Mutharika was speaking on Saturday at Chonde in Mulanje during the annual gathering of Mulhako wa Alhomwe, a cultural grouping that organises the yearly gatherings for the Lhomwe tribe.

“There are some politicians who use cultural groups to us, we should not allow that. We are all one whether we are Sena, Yao, Ngoni or Tumbuka,” said Mutharika.

Mutharika also pleaded with the Lhomwe tribe to encourage their children learn the Lhomwe language, saying just a handful can now understand and speak the language.

“This is why my late brother [late Bingu wa Mutharika] and I created Mulhako wa A lhomwe to preserve the language among other things,” said Mutharika a Lhomwe by tribe himself.

The President said Lhomwe children need to be told and taught Lhomwe cultural values which include respect for the elderly instead of touting them as witches.

“We need to protect the elderly because these are the defenders and pillars of our culture. They are not witches,” said Mutharika while announcing that very soon the government will be adopting the national policy for the elderly.

He said culture can as well be a powerful tool to grow the economy and advocacy for human values such as integrity and hard work.

During the event, Unesco recognised tchopa or sopa as a world heritage cultural dance after gulewamkulu and vimbuza in the centre and north respectively. During the event, people enjoyed Lhomwe food, among other activities.