SHIMUNENGA

Shimunenga, the name of the traditional festival celebrated by the Ila people of Namwala, Southern Province pays homage to the warrior Shimunenga who led the tribe and their cattle to the Kafue flats after a dispute with his brother. The three-dayfestival includes a day reserved for the women to sing and perform traditional dances such as ‘kukonkobela’. On the second day, the women throw sticks at themen to symbolize spears thrown at Shimunenga’s brother. The third day is acattle drive day with cows competing to cross a section of the Kafue River.Shimunenga is held in August.