Concert 2002
A People without a knowledge of its past is like a tree without roots
MESSAGE IN THE DRUM AND STRING
Monze is a town in the Southern Province of Zambia, about 200 km south of the capital, Lusaka. Further south lies the rural town of Chisekesi. Off the main road heading east toward Gwembe, there is a turnoff—no more than 12 km—to a renowned place called Chikuni Mission.
Established in 1905 by Jesuit priest Fr. Joseph Moreau, Chikuni Mission did not only challenge the traditional belief systems of local people, but it also transformed the area into a peri-urban village. Today, Chikuni Mission is almost like a town—at least by Zambian standards. Towering beside Canisius High School is the iconic church tower, once the central place of worship for both converts and those on the path to conversion. This spiritual foundation laid the groundwork for the development that makes Chikuni Mission a vital force in the region.
In addition to raising education and healthcare standards to a first-class level, the mission has also birthed a once-unimaginable dream: Radio Chikuni. Launched in 1999, with a broadcast radius of 70 km, the station is a community-based platform run by skilled, young local broadcasters. Its mission: “Empowering the People.” One key initiative in this mission is an annual musical concert.
Though the concerts began three years earlier, the 2002 edition stood out as a milestone—proof that the dream had taken a meaningful path. The previous two concerts had taught the Radio Chikuni team valuable lessons on what makes a successful cultural event. Over 120 local bands registered across ten categories for the 2002 concert, but due to time constraints, only 70 were able to perform.
From the moment the first string vibrated through the loudspeakers, joy lit up every face. Ululations, cheers, and animal bleats filled the air—a true celebration for anyone who cherishes culture.
Over 4,000 spectators were treated to a journey back to their roots, recalling times when communities gathered under moonlit skies, sounding the drums of Nkosaadi (concert) and Nkaangakaye (children’s night games). These were the plays that once fostered harmony among the Tonga people and nourished their culture—countering vices that might have torn society apart.
The 2002 concert brought together renowned Tonga drummers and string performers—not as rivals, but as brothers and sisters. The audience erupted in praise for Kalindula, a local music style new to the Tonga string system but beautifully integrated into the performances.
To call this concert a failure would be to speak of a different event. This one showcased Tonga culture in its full glory. Roots that were nearly forgotten were revived. A silent culture was made to speak—loud, proud, and unforgettable. Voices once unheard echoed across the nation, stirring the hearts of culture-lovers to tears of joy.
Indeed, this concert was a message in the drum and string—a lasting symbol of unity, prosperity, and integrity. The dancers swayed to their tunes, unbothered by watching eyes—eyes that, as the saying goes, are mere decorations and do no harm.
As the organizers put it:
“A person without knowledge of their past is like a tree without roots.”
The Sakala Brothers, the invited guests of honor, gave a stellar performance and demonstrated what it means to truly entertain and uplift a community.
Monze is a town in the Southern Province of Zambia, about 200 km south of the capital, Lusaka. Further south lies the rural town of Chisekesi. Off the main road heading east toward Gwembe, there is a turnoff—no more than 12 km—to a renowned place called Chikuni Mission.
Established in 1905 by Jesuit priest Fr. Joseph Moreau, Chikuni Mission did not only challenge the traditional belief systems of local people, but it also transformed the area into a peri-urban village. Today, Chikuni Mission is almost like a town—at least by Zambian standards. Towering beside Canisius High School is the iconic church tower, once the central place of worship for both converts and those on the path to conversion. This spiritual foundation laid the groundwork for the development that makes Chikuni Mission a vital force in the region.
In addition to raising education and healthcare standards to a first-class level, the mission has also birthed a once-unimaginable dream: Radio Chikuni. Launched in 1999, with a broadcast radius of 70 km, the station is a community-based platform run by skilled, young local broadcasters. Its mission: “Empowering the People.” One key initiative in this mission is an annual musical concert.
Though the concerts began three years earlier, the 2002 edition stood out as a milestone—proof that the dream had taken a meaningful path. The previous two concerts had taught the Radio Chikuni team valuable lessons on what makes a successful cultural event. Over 120 local bands registered across ten categories for the 2002 concert, but due to time constraints, only 70 were able to perform.
From the moment the first string vibrated through the loudspeakers, joy lit up every face. Ululations, cheers, and animal bleats filled the air—a true celebration for anyone who cherishes culture.
Over 4,000 spectators were treated to a journey back to their roots, recalling times when communities gathered under moonlit skies, sounding the drums of Nkosaadi (concert) and Nkaangakaye (children’s night games). These were the plays that once fostered harmony among the Tonga people and nourished their culture—countering vices that might have torn society apart.
The 2002 concert brought together renowned Tonga drummers and string performers—not as rivals, but as brothers and sisters. The audience erupted in praise for Kalindula, a local music style new to the Tonga string system but beautifully integrated into the performances.
To call this concert a failure would be to speak of a different event. This one showcased Tonga culture in its full glory. Roots that were nearly forgotten were revived. A silent culture was made to speak—loud, proud, and unforgettable. Voices once unheard echoed across the nation, stirring the hearts of culture-lovers to tears of joy.
Indeed, this concert was a message in the drum and string—a lasting symbol of unity, prosperity, and integrity. The dancers swayed to their tunes, unbothered by watching eyes—eyes that, as the saying goes, are mere decorations and do no harm.
As the organizers put it:
“A person without knowledge of their past is like a tree without roots.”
The Sakala Brothers, the invited guests of honor, gave a stellar performance and demonstrated what it means to truly entertain and uplift a community.
