Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II

Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II (Elizabeth Mulenje) is the chieftainship of the Soli people of Chongwe District in Lusaka Province. She has been a chieftainess in the area since 1976. She is the second female Nkomeshya since 19th century Mukamambo I who is mythologized as having spiritual powers that allowed her to change her physical form and veil her people to protect them from enemies.[1][2][3][4]

Traditional roles

As Chieftainess, Nkomeshya plays the role of primary rainmaker during the annual Chakwela Makumba traditional ceremony held annually in October. During the Chakwela Makumbi, literally translating to "pulling down the clouds", Chieftainess Makumbi pleads with the ancestral spirits to bless her people with rain. Among her many tasks during the event, Chieftainess Nkomeshya kicks off the farming season by being the first to plant a seed.[5][6][7][4][8]

Political life

Shortly after Chieftainess Nkomeshya ascended to the throne, she took up leadership roles in politics as a member of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). During her time in the party, she was a member of the Central Committee and the UNIP Women's League. She also served as Minister of State of Home Affairs from 1979 to 1986.[9][10][11][12]

In 2013 she was elected as the chairperson of the House of Chiefs, taking over from Chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni people of Chipata District in Eastern Province. This made her the first woman elected to serve as chairperson since the position was created in 1965.[13][14][15][16]

Areas of work

Chieftainess Nkomeshya has been commended for her work in the fight to end child marriages in her area.[17][18]

References

  1. ^ Martin, David (2 October 2011). "Election observation delegation for the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Zambia" (PDF). www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  2. ^ Cole, Alastair Charles (2015-07-02). "Good Morning, Grade One. Language ideologies and multilingualism within primary education in rural Zambia". Course, Magnus, Higgins, Nick, other. hdl:1842/11684. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Ndhlovu, Gershom (2015-04-11). "issues over matters: What Is In A Name?". issues over matters. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  4. ^ a b Simbao, Ruth (31 July 2014). "Cosmological Efficacy and the Politics of Sacred Place: Soli Rainmaking in Contemporary Zambia". African Arts. 47 (3): 44. doi:10.1162/AFAR_a_00163. S2CID 57559787.
  5. ^ "Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II – Missionaries of Africa – SAP Province". mafrsaprovince.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  6. ^ "Traditional Ceremonies". www.mota.gov.zm. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  7. ^ Mwakikagile, Godfrey (2010). Zambia: The Land and Its People. New Africa Press. p. 87.
  8. ^ "Andrew Mulenga's Hole In The Wall". andrewmulenga.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  9. ^ Ghodsee, Kristen (3 April 2014). "Research note: The historiographical challenges of exploring Second World–Third World alliances in the international women's movement". Global Social Policy. 14 (2): 244–264. doi:10.1177/1468018114527100. S2CID 147596319.
  10. ^ "Zambia Ministers". www.guide2womenleaders.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  11. ^ "Penguasa Wanita Di Dunia_Women In leader 1970-2000". Iwansuwandy's Blog. 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  12. ^ McDonagh, Eileen (1 May 2009). The Motherless State: Women's Political Leadership and American Democracy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 252.
  13. ^ Editor, Assistant. "Nkomeshya's new House of Chiefs chairperson | Lusaka Voice". www.lusakavoice.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ "Nkomesha Elected House of Chiefs Chairperson | Zambia Reports". Zambia Reports. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  15. ^ "Chiefs elect Nkomeshya leader of their House | Maravi". Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  16. ^ "Chiefs Act". www.zambialaws.com. 1 November 1965. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  17. ^ "derricksinjela". derricksinjela.blogspot.dk. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  18. ^ "Lungu hails chieftainess Nkomeshya over children's education – Zambia Daily Mail". www.daily-mail.co.zm. Retrieved 2018-03-03.