Discover Eastern Province: Kulamba and Nc’wala

Eastern Province can be understood as a travel destination through two cultural events held annually. Kulamba and Nc’wala differ in the communities involved, their locations, and their purpose. If you are planning a hotel stay in the province, these traditions provide a concrete starting point for choosing when to travel. Check the current dates and arrangements for each ceremony before your trip so that your plans match the occasion you wish to attend.

Kulamba in August

Eastern Province is home to the Kulamba Traditional Ceremony of the Chewa from Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. Every year in August, the ceremony attracts thousands of visitors from home and abroad who want to experience Gule Wamukulu. This dance is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. If you are planning your trip around Kulamba, check the current event arrangements in advance.

Nc’wala in Chipata

The annual Nc’wala ceremony of the Ngoni in Zambia’s Eastern Province takes place on the last Saturday in February in Mtenguleni village in Chipata. During the ceremony, the Ngoni honor God, ancestral spirits, and Chief Mpezeni for the first harvest and the food. The direct comparison helps with planning: Kulamba takes place in August, while Nc’wala takes place on the last Saturday in February in Mtenguleni. The dates, communities, and purposes offer different points of reference for choosing when to travel. Check the date for Nc’wala before your trip.

Getting there within the wider destination of Zambia

Within the wider destination of Zambia, the road journey to South Luangwa goes via Chipata in Eastern Province. This is an additional point of reference if you are including the province in a broader travel itinerary. Check current road conditions before setting out.

More topics within the wider destination of Zambia

Beyond Eastern Province’s cultural events, Zambia also offers a variety of nature and museum topics. Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls is about 1,708 meters wide, an average of 100 meters deep, and 108 meters deep at its deepest point. The transboundary World Heritage Site includes 3,779 hectares of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia. These measurements and the designated area describe different aspects of the natural heritage.

The Livingstone Museum has five permanent exhibition galleries covering archaeology, ethnography, natural history, history, and David Livingstone. The museum displays some of its David Livingstone memorabilia in the galleries. The Copperbelt Museum focuses on mining history and serves to document and preserve Zambia’s mining history. The two museums therefore have clearly distinct themes: one has several exhibition areas, while the other focuses on Zambia’s mining history.

Another traditional ceremony in Zambia is Kuomboka, the ceremony of the Lozi in Western Province. It takes place in Mongu under the leadership of the Litunga, King of the Barotse; its timing follows seasonal floods. This offers a different seasonal reference from Kulamba and Nc’wala, which take place in August and on the last Saturday in February, respectively.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Chipata, Chilongozi, Chikomba, Kakumbi, Kasama, Chimbwa, Luapula and Lusaka.

Back to the wider travel overview: Zambia.