I feel really
lucky that not only was I able to attend Kuomboka but that I had so many friends (and friends of friends who quickly became friends over the course of the weekend...) come to Mongu to take part in the festivities…and all 15 of them stayed at my
house. People arrived Friday night and
left Sunday morning and it was a big celebration the entire time they were
here. We watched live Zambian music,
took a boat out into the floodplains of Lealui where the king prepared to start
his journey, watched traditional dancing as the Zambian Vice President arrived in his
helicopter and escorted the king to start his 6+ hour journey (with a crew of
many paddlers supporting him along the way) then saw him arrive later in the
evening to his home on higher ground in the village of Limulunga (with a
spectacular crowd and an amazing sunset).
I loved having
the opportunity to show everyone around Mongu and while at times it was a bit
hectic with so many people, I would do it again this weekend in a heartbeat…in
fact, I’m told there is a smaller “Kuomboka-like” ceremony taking place in a
village just outside of Mongu this coming weekend. Maybe I’ll try to go...I can't get enough. Although I wish all of my friends would come back. I miss them already. :(
I have some
pictures up in my photo album so please take a look. And I recommend if you are ever in Zambia in
the Western Province around the time of Kuomboka…you must attend. It was amazing.
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| Group shot (most of the group anyway). |
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