| There are many long-established traditional | | | | site deep within the gorge in what is known as |
| ceremonies in Zambia and described here is a | | | | the 'boiling pot' (due to its angry and tumultuous |
| ceremony of the Toka-Leya people in Zambia. Its | | | | swirling below the Victoria Falls). After this |
| main purpose is to attract the rain after a long | | | | dangerous escapade, the water is very carefully |
| dry season. Lwiindi means 'thanksgiving of the | | | | carried to a water shrine on the road to Mukuni |
| harvests'. Zambia experiences a long dry season | | | | Village and here they imitate rain falling by pouring |
| from April through to October and by the end of | | | | water over the roof of a sacred hut. The group |
| the dry season the land is parched, rivers and | | | | of revered young men who have now proved |
| lakes are drying up and people and animals must | | | | their manliness and are seen to be ready for |
| travel long distances for water. | | | | marriage return to the village where they are met |
| Living so close to the Victoria Falls the Toka-Leya | | | | by the beautiful and eager young girls of the |
| understand the waterfall better than most and | | | | village. Historically the girls would have used this |
| they respect it too. They have created a number | | | | opportunity to select a husband of choice but |
| of shrines for different purposes including prayer | | | | times have moved on somewhat! |
| and sacrifice stemming from their belief that | | | | Though to some the concept of rituals, |
| various spirits live around the falls area. | | | | ceremonies, costumes and prayers to spirits may |
| The area in which the Lwiindi ceremony is | | | | seem a little farfetched, witnesses of this |
| performed is highly prone to drought and so this | | | | ceremony will tell you that it always rains within |
| ceremony is performed just before the rains | | | | an hour of these sacred rituals. It has been |
| would normally be expected every year to | | | | reported that even when the rest of Livingstone |
| ensure its timely and much needed arrival. Young | | | | (the area surrounding the Victoria Falls) is |
| men around the age of seventeen under Chief | | | | completely dry from months without rain, the |
| Mukuni's rule are expected to prove they are real | | | | vicinity of the Toka -Leya where the Lwiindi |
| men and ready for their marital responsibilities by | | | | ceremony has taken place is blessed with a much |
| taking part in this adventurous rain inducing | | | | needed and refreshing downpour. |
| custom. | | | | This article is inspired by the book 'Ceremony! |
| Days before the ritual local beer is brewed and | | | | Celebrating Zambia's Cultural Heritage'. It's fabulous |
| visitors begin to congregate in the village and the | | | | and a visually pleasing book which I would |
| excitement brews. On the day of the ceremony | | | | encourage you to get. I got mine from ZAIN in |
| traditional hymns are sung to the Toka-Leya | | | | Lusaka, Zambia. It is published by Celtel Zambia |
| ancestors whom the people believe their chief, | | | | PLC and Seka. Original photography, Francois |
| Chief Mukuni, is a living representative. The | | | | d'Elbee. Coordinating author, Tamara Guhrs. Editor, |
| ceremony begins with a 40km walk away from | | | | Mulunga Kapwepwe. Contributing authors, |
| the Mukuni Village and towards the Victoria Falls. | | | | Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, Prof Mapopa |
| On arrival the young men smear themselves with | | | | Mtonga, Mulenga Kapwepwe, Isaac Smogy |
| white clay from the river bed and they do this to | | | | Kapinga, Miranda Guhrs, Msatero Tembo, Matiya |
| demonstrate their purity to the spirits. They also | | | | Ngalande and Joseph Chikuta. |
| use fresh green leaves to complete the ritual | | | | Zambia enourages people to witness its cultural |
| costume. | | | | ceremonies. |
| Now the men must collect water from a sacred | | | | |