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Behind the royal drum

Mutomboko is one of the biggest and most significant ceremonies in eastern and southern Africa, although beyond the region it´s nearly unknown. It is held by the Luba-Lunda people from Kazembe state in Mwansabombwe/Kazembe, northeastern Zambia. People are coming from all over the country and even from neighboring DR Congo. Mutomboko is the war dance of the Luba-Lunda, danced by the king Chief Mwata Kazembe at the end of two days of rituals and paying homage to the ancestors, dancing and chanting. On the first day Chief Mwata Kaembe is paying homage to the ancestors at the Battleground of Ketele north of Mwansabombwe. Afterwards the royal band is playing while several dancing groups are trying to impress the Chief who is watching the dances from a reed hut (Gazebo).

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2016
Date Uploaded: 09.2016
Photo Location: north of Mwansabmbwe/Kazembe, Zambia
Camera: LEICA Q (Typ 116)
Copyright: © Ulf Krone