Mulhako wa Alhomwe set for annual feast with K80m budget

This year’s annual celebrations for tribal grouping, Mulhako wa Alhomwe have been moved from October 25 to November 8 2015 and their budget is slightly over K80 million.

The cultural grouping, formed in 2007 and headed by Board of Trustees and coordinated by a secretariat , has been holding its annual celebrations on October 25 at their headquarters, Chonde in southern district of Mulanje.

The change, according to their Administrative Secretary, Muchanakwaye Mpuluka, was necessitated by the untimely death of their Board Chair Bright Mangulama.

Magulama, who was career civil servant died in August after collapsing at his home in Blantyre.

“The death of our father and Board Chair (of Trustees) Bright Mangulama paralyzed all the preparations for this annual celebrations. The death also affected a number fundraising initiatives that we had lined up in readiness for the annual festival. We could not proceed with some activities to mourn our dear father.

“As such, we had to move it from the designated month (October) to November 8 to give organizers enough time for preparations,” said Mpuluka, disclosing that this year’s annual celebrations will consume K80 million.

He said the cultural grouping has received donations in cash and kind from different individuals and institutions.

“In terms of cash, we have about K30 million, but some individuals and institutions committed to provide various services and items including food stuff and vehicles to ease mobility challenges on the day.

“The monetary value for the services and various items we have received is K50 million plus. As such, we highly appreciate the support, donations we have received and we look forward to having successful annual celebrations,” said Mpuluka.

He said the annual celebrations promote their culture and brings together all the Lhomwes across the country and beyond.

Mpuluka also said they have extended invitations to other cultural tribes and that the celebrations’ itinerary will be ready by the end of this month.

Members of this cultural grouping are spread across the country, but they highly concentrated in the shire district of Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Phalombe, Thyolo, Blantyre and Zomba.

Mulhako wa Alhomwe was established (in 2007) by former president late Bingu wa Mutharika to revitalize, preserve and promote  culture and customs among different tribal groups in the country and it holds annual celebrations at their headquarters.

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