Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony

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MusicChongwe
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe ceremony's authority rests entirely with
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: ZMW
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony in Chongwe

Chakwela Makumbi, meaning pulling down the clouds, is a Soli rainmaking ceremony led by Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II near Chongwe, east of Lusaka. The Chieftainess intercedes with the ancestors and God for rain, then plants the first seeds of the season, ahead of the community's planting period.

A missionary account from the Soli chiefdom near Chongwe, published by the Missionaries of Africa's Southern Africa Province, describes Chakwela Makumbi in unusually intimate terms for a traditional ceremony: a Chieftainess, Nkomeshya Mukamambo II, kneeling in prayer as the earth around her lies dry and parched, animals beginning to die from the lack of water, and pleading directly with God on behalf of her people.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The ceremony's authority rests entirely with a woman, Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II, who prays aloud in a documented, deeply personal supplication for rain, then shells maize, pumpkin seeds and sorghum into a gourd as an offering

02

The mystery stays covered

Women known as babinde, dressed in black to symbolise rain clouds, assist in the ritual, which includes the symbolic offering of a black chicken and, in its second stage, the Chieftainess personally burning cleared maize stalks and planting the season's first seeds while the gathered community sings invocations calling the rain down

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The ceremony draws on Soli beliefs that the Chieftainess

Water and renewal

Living ritual

through the ancestors

The sacred route

Living ritual

can intercede directly with God for rain

The local code

Living ritual

expressed through gourd offerings of shelled maize

Tradition 5

Living ritual

pumpkin seed and sorghum

Tradition 6

Living ritual

a symbolic black chicken offering

Tradition 7

Living ritual

and a seed-planting rite that opens the community's agricultural season

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Chongwe you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Modest, practical outdoor clothing suited to the dry-season heat around Chongwe is appropriate; visitors should avoid wearing black in a way that could be mistaken for ritual dress reserved...

Safety

Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

ZMW

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map15.33 S, 28.68 EOpen in Google Maps

Chongwe, Lusaka Province, Zambia

Nearest airportLUN — Kenneth Kaunda
TransportStay close enough to the part of Chongwe you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Chongwe via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Chongwe, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearModest, practical outdoor clothing suited to the dry-season heat around Chongwe is appropriate; visitors should avoid wearing black in a way that could be mistaken for ritual dress reserved for the babinde women who assist the Chieftainess.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Zambia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony?

Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Chakwela Makumbi Ceremony take place?

The festival is listed in Chongwe, Zambia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Chongwe, Lusaka Province, Zambia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLzambia.travel
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusOfficial source linked
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