By Chisomo Phiri
Cultural ethnic group Mulhako wa Alhomwe has received a grant of 25 000 euros (K47 million) from a Netherlands-based Cultural Emergency Response Fund.
Among other things, the funds will help the grouping in implementing in various initiatives in the aftermath of the devastation caused by the Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday morning, Mulhako wa Alhomwe Chief Executive Officer Pius Mvenya Jnr said the cyclone caused damage to its cultural village at their headquarters at Chonde in Mulanje which is in need of restoration.
“We lost a lot of items bearing significant cultural value which we feel we need to restore. We, therefore, sent out proposals to various organisations to help us with that bid.
“Gladly the Cultural Emergency Response Fund came to our rescue and we are thankful,” he said.
Mvenya said as part of their efforts to restore the tangible and intangible cultural heritage artifacts, the group will engage Lhomwe traditional leaders and conduct focus group discussions to recreate a strong cultural base at Chonde.
Mulhako Wa Alhomwe was established in 2007 with the aim of promoting Lhomwe culture by among other objectives, instilling a sense of pride in its people.
The formation of the organization revived some of the cultural practices that had been on the death bed.
The Lomwe are one of the four largest ethnic groups living in Malawi.
They are located primarily in the southeast section of Malawi with the largest concentration being in Phalombe district.
Others live in Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Zomba, and Liwonde.
Smaller numbers are scattered throughout the southern region of Malawi.
In Mozambique, the Lomwe are found almost entirely in the Zambezi Province.
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