Each year in Zambia’s Western Province the Litunga – the King/Paramount Chief of the Malozi people, moves in a symbolic ceremony known as the Kuomboka (“get out of water”).
This ancient ceremony celebrates the move of the Litunga from his ‘summer’ home at Lealui in the flooded villages of the Barotse Flood plain, to his ‘winter’ home in Limulunga on the higher ground, until the flooded plains subside in June/July.The festive event is celebrated each year at the end of the rainy season (around March/April) when the upper Zambezi River floods the plains of Western Province. The Litunga decides the date for the ceremony a few weeks beforehand after considering the level of the water.
The Litunga is accompanied by his Prime Minister and other local area chiefs known as the Indunas. The Litunga’s boat/barge is named “Nalikwanda” and it is large enough to carry his possessions, his attendants, his musicians, his 100 paddlers, and a large statue of an elephant – the Lozi symbol of power. The boat is painted with black and white stripes and it is considered a great honour to be one of the paddlers on the Nalikwanda.
The ceremony begins with two white scout canoes that are sent to check the depth of the water and for the presence of any enemies. Once the scouts signal that it is clear the journey to the highland begins. The Litunga’s royal boat is followed by another boat for his wife and another for the Prime Minister. The journey to Limulunga normally takes about 6-8 hours. Drums beat throughout to coordinate those paddling the barge.
The Litunga begins the day in his traditional dress, but during the journey changes into the full uniform of a British admiral that was presented to the Litunga in 1902 by King Edward VII, in recognition of treaties signed between the Lozi people and Queen Victoria. The ceremony is attended by hundreds of people from all walks of life each year.