Ukusefya Pa Ngwena Traditional Ceremony

Ukusefya pa Ng’wena is a Traditional Ceremony of the Bemba People by Paramount Chief Chitimukulu held at Mungwi Village, in Kasama in Northern Province of Zambia. Around August/September, the Chitimukulu (the head of uLuBemba, the Bemba nation) calls his subjects to the original Ng’wena Village to celebrate the formation of the Bemba people, and their subsequent achievements. The highlight of “Ukusefya pa Ng’wena” is the re-enactment of the journey from Kola to Lubemba.

AbaBemba trace their origin from Kola (modern-day Angola) in the 17th Century. From Kola, they went to Luba. From Luba, they crossed Luapula, Chambeshi, and Kalungu Rivers. When they reached the banks of Milando, they came across a dead crocodile. Since Bemba rulers belong to the Crocodile Clan, the discovery, earmarked Bemba-land. A village was set up at this very spot and it was named Ng’wena Village.