by ARNOLD MULENGA
LUSAKA – A LONG-STANDING inter-tribal conflict has reared its ugly head again in Zambia.
It has escalated in the North Western Province where an ethnic group attempts to disrupt an annual ceremony of the other.
Civilians have been hit by stray bullets, houses have been set ablaze, vehicles, including those belonging to police, have been set alight.
Men from the Lunda are the alleged perpetrators of the violence, against the Luvale. Both tribes occupy the North Western Province.
The attacks erupted on Sunday as the perpetrators lay siege on the Luvale who had gathered in numbers to welcome prominent cyclist, James Falanga (nicknamed One Yeye), in Zambezi District, where he is attending the Likumbi Lyamize ceremony.
The attackers also ambushed a rider from the welcoming procession, assaulted him and set his motorcycle ablaze.
The Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony is a succession of ceremonies of the Luvale people. It started on Sunday and runs until Saturday.
The ceremony is the cause of long-standing conflicts between the two tribes.
The Lunda claim the ceremony is performed in their territory.
All Zambian administrations, including the current administration of President Hakainde Hichilema, have failed to resolve the conflict.
Before independence in 1964, the colonial (British) government also declared a state of emergency over the escalating standoff.
The Zambia Police Service (ZPS) reports its officers in Zambezi district moved in to restore law and order on Sunday but were met with resistance from the Lundas, who resorted to the use of bows and arrows against the officers.
A male (20), who is the son of a local headsman of the Lunda, was caught by a stray bullet.
He was rushed to Zambezi District Hospital and later referred to Chitokoloki Mission Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen that caused excessive bleeding.
Police report that violence persisted as the Lundas engaged officers with stones, pangas, bows, and arrows. During the battles, around five houses belonging to Luvales were set ablaze.
Officers say they recovered over 30 bows, arrows and spears from the scene.
Late Monday, ZPS reported that violence escalated when Lundas again attempted to attack Luvales who were leading Tundanjis.
Tundanji are boys who have recently completed the Mukanda initiation ritual, a significant part of the Luvale culture.
A combined team of ZPS officers, reinforced by the Paramilitary Unit, intervened and managed to restore calm.
This led to the arrest of 115 suspects. These comprise 89 men, 20 women, four girls and two boys.
ZPS reports that police recovered a number of weapons from the suspects.
A 29-year-old male is suspected to have been struck by a rubber bullet on his right cheek during the disturbances and recovering in hospitals.
Further, three police vehicles suffered damage after their tyres were deflated by planks with nails deliberately planted on the road.
Rae Hamoonga, national police spokesperson, said preliminary investigations indicated that these disturbances were deliberately initiated by some members of the Lunda community, who are suspected to have long planned to disrupt the Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony.
“The Zambia Police Service, working in collaboration with other security wings, remains firmly on the ground in Zambezi District to ensure that law, order, and the safety of all citizens are maintained,” Hamoonga said.
The Lunda are part of the broader Lunda ethnic group, with origins in the Lunda Kingdom centered in present-day Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Luvale are also found in southeastern Angola.
Both tribes are known for their rich cultural heritage, including traditional ceremonies and artistic expressions.
– CAJ News
