Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant traditions and sacred ceremonies that define the cultural heritage of the Mambwe people.
The Malaila Festival is the great annual harvest celebration of the Mambwe people, marking the end of the farming season. It is the most vibrant gathering of the year — a time of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and of community unity.
The festival features traditional dances, rituals, music, and communal feasting, drawing the community together at the seat of the chieftaincy. It is the best time of year to experience Mambwe culture at its fullest.
Held at Kalongo Royal Palace
Sacred ceremonies
Alongside the Malaila Festival, two sacred ceremonies hold central place in Mambwe tradition.
The sacred ceremony for installing new chiefs and royal family members, following centuries-old traditions. It is the moment a new custodian formally takes up the Jumbe throne, witnessed by elders, family, and the wider community.
Annual ceremonies to honour and communicate with ancestral spirits, maintaining the connection between past and present. Held at royal burial sites and sacred grounds, these rites renew the community's bond with the ancestors who guide it.
Festival dates can shift with the season and the lunar calendar. To confirm this year's dates or arrange to attend a ceremony, get in touch through the Visit page — advance notice is recommended, especially for the Malaila Festival.