Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
All is set for the two-day Luswingo Kalanga Cultural Festival being organised by the Kalanga Language and Cultural Development Association (KLCDA) as part of efforts to promote the Kalanga culture.
Now in its third edition, the festival that kicks off on Friday, will be held at Luswingo Heritage site in Tokwana Village, Bulilima District with the main event set for Saturday.
KLCDA executive secretary, Ntando Dumani said the annual event aims to promote, celebrate and develop TjiKalanga language and culture as a key contributor to the socio-economic development of society.
The theme for this year is: “Lulimi gwedu, Milenje yedu, Buhe gwedu”.
“Under this theme, we seek to promote the use of our language and culture as well as advocate for the re-instatement of Kalanga chiefs who were demoted during the colonial period.
“This year’s festival is bigger and better with more diverse activities and performances. We expect a large group of participants including colleges and universities to attend,” Dumani said.
Activities lined up for Friday include workshops, performances by various artists and discussions on different cultural topics. Saturday’s activities include a tour of and lecture on Luswingo Heritage Site, high school debate competitions, Kalanga dictionary launch, dances, poetry, lecture on the Kalanga history and live band performances.
Topics that will be tackled during the festival include courtship and marriage in the Kalanga culture, teaching of Science subjects in indigenous languages, promotion of Kalanga artists and production and marketing of cultural artefacts within the informal sector.
“The highlight in terms of literature shall be the launch of an English to Kalanga dictionary authored by Ambassador Mabed Ngulani. Other Kalanga literary works by authors namely myself, Belthazor Mlalazi, Tjolo waMudaba, Sibongile Tshabangu and many others will be available for sale at the festival.
“There’ll also be an array of traditional food for sale at the event.”
Luswingo Heritage Site lies 36km north of Plumtree town. It was built by BaKalanga in their distinguished workmanship in the fashion of Khami heritage site. Luswingo is a Kalanga word which means stone wall.
@DubeMatutu