Mulhako plans K50m feast: Distill 150 litres of Kachasu, 50 drums of opaque beer
The Mulhako wa Alhomwe says it is yet to find a new face to act as its patron, replacing late President Bingu wa Mutharika who died on April 5, 2012 due to cardiac arrest.
Mutharika founded Mulhako wa Alhomwe, an ethnic grouping in 2008 to, among other things, preserve the Lhomwe heritage.
In an interview with Nyasa Times, Administrator at Mulhako Secretariat, Muchanankhwaye Mpuluka said the mandate to decide new patron rest in the hands of chiefs and Trustees.
“Our chiefs and Trustees are yet to decide on that, and once they make such decision to replace our fallen patron and founder, Bingu wa Mutharika, the public will be informed,” said Mpuluka.
A visit to the grouping’s Headquarters at Chonde in Mulanje on Saturday, found out that preparations for this year’s carnival, to take place on 26th and 27th of this month, are at advanced stage with some of traditional structures like huts, and dancing platform already constructed.
Mpuluka disclosed that they have planned an extensive budget of over K50 million to ensure that people should enjoy the feast.
“Our budget is of K50 million but with donations we are getting such as cattle, maize and other food stuff, if we add that up to the budget, it will surely hit around K100 million.
“We have over 80 dances. Some are new Lhomwe dances and we have perfected the other renowned ones like Tsopa and Likwata; adding in new standards and improved dancing routines so that people should have more fun,” he added.
And Pilirani O Vokhiwa, Secretary for Southern region branch, disclosed that They were distilling 50 drums of Masese beer and 150 litres of Kachasu aside purchasing two truckloads of Chibuku beer in readiness for the carnival.
O Vokhiwa said: “Food and beer is part of our culture. There will be plenty to eat with traditional foods on the menu. Our local beer brewers were already here by 7th October to ensure they have enough time to prepare enough beer for everyone”.
Businessman, Leston Mulli has provided 12 buses and other 30 vehicles to ferry people to and from the carnival with over 3,000 Mulhako members coming from the northern region, according to Charles Kanyoza.
Kanyoza said this year the carnival would attract more patronage more than double the last year’s attendance.
He said meanwhile the Mulhako wa Lhomwe Trustees were working on the list of dignitaries locally and international to attend the festival.
Mulhako wa Alhomwe was formed on October 25 2008 to provide exposure to cultural traditions of the Lhomwe tribe.
The group’s main focus is to expose children and people from other tribes and countries, to the ethnic customs such as dance, drumming, storytelling, poetry, tribal history, arts and crafts as a means of promoting self-esteem, creativity and preservation of the Lhomwe tribal customs.
