Unity is paramount for fostering coexistence among different tribal groups in the country. And culture plays a critical role in facilitating this significant process which also happens to be an enabler of social and economic growth.
These remarks were made by Mutchanakhwaye Mpuluka the chairperson of the Mulhako wa Alhomwe cultural celebration scheduled for October 4 to 6 at Chonde headquarters in Mulanje District.
He said: “This year’s theme for the Mulhako wa Alhomwe cultural celebration is Unity for Common Purpose’. It revolves around the significance of promoting coexistence among different tribal groups in the country.
As a nation, we must look at ourselves as one family regardless of our different cultural and political affiliations.
“Unity promotes peace and economic development for a nation like Malawi. We should embrace unity as tool for our growth at both local, national and international level,” he said.
Cultural celebrations are one of the effective platforms to promoting unity, peace and national development.
For example, if leaders preach the spirit of oneness among people of diverse cultural backgrounds, it can fosters unity.
For many years, cultural celebrations like Mulhako wa Alhomwe, have been used as a platform to promote cultural values such as traditional dances and food. Likewise, Mulhako wa Alhomwe has been advancing Lhomwe traditional practices like use of herbs such as Gondolosi which are believed to have medicinal values.
David Mpeya a resident of Blantyre, who is a regular patron of Mulhako wa Alhomwe cultural celebrations, said he was set for this year’s ceremony.
“As a proud Lhomwe, one thing I like about Mulhako wa Alhomwe cultural celebration is its unique design to promote traditional herbs like Gondolosi roots. This is Africa and Malawi which has abundant resources such as traditional medicine which can be properly processed and packaged to add value.
“Unless we look at traditional medicine from a positive perspective, we will not develop as a nation because these are very raw materials of the white drugs that we use,” remarked Mpeya.
