Icibwela Mushi (return to the village) is Zambia's officially documented Bisa, Swaka and Lala harvest ceremony, held each September in Mkushi District, Central Province; the source file's attribution of this event to Mumbwa District, a different area associated with Sala, Kaonde and Ila communities, does not match the documented location.
Icibwela Mushi is one of only two ceremonies Zambia's official records list for Central Province, and it stands out for bringing together three related peoples, the Bisa, Swaka and Lala, under a shared harvest tradition whose name (return to the village) evokes the gathering back home of families and migrant relatives at harvest time
Mumbwa District, where the source file places this event, is documented instead as host to three entirely different ceremonies (Ikubi Lya Loongo, Musaka Jikubi and Ikubi Lya Malumbe-Munyama) tied to Sala, Kaonde and Ila communities, none of them Icibwela Mushi
Icibwela Mushi is a harvest and homecoming ceremony translating as return to the village
uniting Bisa
Swaka and Lala chiefs and communities in a shared observance of thanksgiving and family reunion at the close of the farming year
Dates TBA · Usually October
For Icibwela Mushi, plan transport around the exact Mumbwa venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Central Province has a warm plateau climate with September in the late dry season, so light cotton clothing, a hat and sun protection are practical, with modest coverage recommended at any...
Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.
For Icibwela Mushi, stay near the part of Mumbwa you will actually use, with reliable return transport.
Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.
ZMW
unknown
External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.
We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.
Icibwela Mushi is listed for October. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.
The festival is listed in Mumbwa, Zambia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.
Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.
Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.
Mumbwa, Central Province, Zambia
unknown
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.
Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →
