01/10/2026
Hon Kaselo Chilolo Likomeno writes 👇.
THE ABUSE OF MUKANDA AND MAKISHI IN LIVINGSTONE AND CHOMA.
The abuse of Makishi in Livingstone and Choma is so painful to some of us who went to Mukanda wachisemwa (Wama Kishi).
For many years, people like me have worked so hard to protect and promote our Mukanda and Makishi culture. Growing up in the village of Kabompo district under His Royal Highness Chief Kalunga of the Luchazi speaking people, we grew up knowing that a Likishi is an ancestral spirit who resurrects from the graveyard.
Every year we could only see Makishi during the Mukanda wachisemwa initiation ceremony or during the Chivweka Traditional Ceremony and Likumbi Lya Mize Traditional Ceremony only. Makishi were feared and respected. No woman or uncircumcised man used to come close to a Likishi, those who went to Mukanda wachisemwa were allowed to do so, this is because when you undergo through Mukanda wachisemwa,it means you have passed through the Mukanda rituals that allows you to mingle with the dead.
In an event where a woman or uncircumcised man messes up with a Likishi,there was no survival for such a person,they used to die! It was not a secret,this is because it was a taboo for you to disrespect an ancestral spirit from the dead! At times if the case was not that bad, a stiff punishment used to be given to such a person found wanting.
MY COMMENT ON THE HAPPENINGS IN LIVINGSTONE AND CHOMA.
In Luvale, Luchazi, Mbunda or Chokwe culture, we do not have a Likishi called "DEFAO" in the same line,our Makishi do not speak other languages apart from Luvale, Luchazi, Mbunda or Chokwe. Those so called "vinyau" in Livingstone do speak other languages,this is what makes them not to be part of us.
Secondly,the so-called vinyau ( Makishi) in Livingstone are found everywhere and anyhow, whether there is the so-called "Mukanda" or not. The so-called Makishi in Livingstone violently beat up people without any offense and they do harass people anyhow anywhere. The so-called Makishi in Livingstone dance to modern songs and twerk which completely different from the original Makishi.
THE WAY FORWARD!
In call on Our Luvale, Luchazi, Mbunda and Chokwe Chiefs including elders of this beautiful culture to engage the government of Zambia and ban the Mukanda and Makishi culture in Southern Province, specifically in Livingstone and Choma where all these problems are emanating from. Several warnings have been given to them, but unfortunately, the compliance levels are drastically not there.
Once the announcement of banning Mukanda wachisemwa in Livingstone is done by our traditional Leaders, the government should now come in with the law enforcers to see to it that, whoever they will see with so called Likishi,must be arrested and such a person should be imprisoned for not less than 5 years for other offenders to learn from there. If this can be done as soon as possible,we will then protect our culture and have total control over it.
We can't afford to see our beautiful culture being abused by selfish and evil people.
Justice for Makishi! Justice for Mukanda!
Signed by: Hon. Kaselo Chilolo Likomeno.
📸: pictures: Chivweka Traditional Ceremony.
