NC'WALA 2011-The boots

A YOUNG NGONI DANCER IN ACTION DURING THE 2011 NC'WALA TRADITIONAL CEREMONY IN CHIPATA.


The Nc'wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni people has now passed. It actually went down at the monthend of February. The ceremony is commemorated by the Ngoni speaking people of eastern Zambia. The main dance is a war performance, which symbolises the Ngonis' escape from Shaka in South African in the 1800s. The ceremony is largely characterised by a dance of thumping feet to the ground and singing war songs by the Ngoni (impis) warriors. Paramount chief Mpezeni also sips raw blood from a cow that is brutally killed in full view of the audience, including the children and me. I had the opportunity to visit Mtenguleni park where the culture is showcased even this year. So much has been written about the ceremony over the years, but I just wanted to share with you, some images of Ngoni feet and boots (especially the lack of boots) from the ceremony.