Concert 2004
Abaliibe Bantu Bokwesu
Tonga Music Concert: Celebrating Heritage Through Sound
By Matongo Maumbi
Since its establishment in March 2000, Radio Chikuni has organized the annual Tonga Music Concert—a unique festival in Zambia that celebrates the rich musical traditions of the Ba Tonga people. This year, in 2004, the concert was held from August 27th to 28th under the theme "Abaliibe Bantu Bokwesu", which translates to "Let Our People Be".
Among the Ba Tonga, music is not just a form of personal expression but also a powerful means of communication within the community. It promotes unity, imparts wisdom, and passes on knowledge—contributing to the resilience and identity of the Tonga people.
A Festival of Talent and Tradition“Nkosaadi 2004” featured a wide variety of music and entertainment that thrilled the more than 8,000 spectators in attendance. Over 105 groups competed during the two-day event. A notable shift is emerging: younger artists are now rivaling the seasoned performers. This was especially evident in the Kuyabila category, where 15-year-old Roderick Mungala outshone 2002 champion Joseph Chileka for the second consecutive year—an extraordinary achievement for someone so young.
X-Bass, formerly known as Chigome X-Bass, gave a stellar performance in the Kalindula category, winning first prize despite the loss of their group leader. Meanwhile, in other categories, unexpected outcomes kept audiences intrigued. Gonde Culture, a crowd favorite, was narrowly defeated by Azara Culture from Chief Mwanza’s area in Monze District.
Interestingly, the renowned Mashombe Blue Jeans Band did not participate this year. Many speculate that their reputation as champions may have led them to sit out, with some community voices suggesting they should no longer compete due to their consistent dominance. This opened opportunities for newer acts, though the competition remained intense.
Elderly performers, more conservative than the younger generation, showcased deeply traditional music in the Kalumbu and Kankobela categories. Participation was open to all Tongas, with musicians competing across ten categories. Prominent bands were strategically scheduled for the second day to maintain excitement.
This year’s guest musician was Ballard Zulu, who performed his hit song Activities, accompanied by Green Mamba’s Collen Mukonka. The event was inclusive, drawing participants and spectators from all age groups and social sectors. Recognizing the growing impact of the festival, Radio Chikuni raised funds to improve its sound system. For the first time, we delivered the high-quality sound experience the audience longed for. With the concert growing every year, we now plan to construct a permanent stage specifically designed for this event.
A Cultural RevivalThe Tonga Music Concert has been held successfully for the past five years. Among local communities—especially in the Southern Province—it continues to gain popularity. However, it is concerning that support from the business community and well-wishers has steadily declined, forcing Radio Chikuni to cover more of the festival’s costs from its own limited resources.
This year, the music festival was again held alongside a traditional Tonga women’s beauty pageant, organized by the Mukanzubo Cultural Research Institute. This pageant celebrates traditional attire and reflects efforts to preserve Tonga culture through music, cultural programming, and publications in ChiTonga.
Why the Music Festival?“There is no growth without roots,” goes an African adage, highlighting the need to preserve cultural identity in a world increasingly shaped by Western influence. Across Africa, music is widely recognized as a storehouse of tradition—one of the most effective tools for preserving cultural memory.
In light of this, Chikuni Community Radio Station, broadcasting on 91.8 FM and based in the heart of Southern Province, launched the Tonga Traditional Music Festival. The station began broadcasting in March 2000, and by September of that year, it had organized its first music festival. Now the only event of its kind in Zambia, it draws people from across the country and is held annually in August or September.
One of the key motivations behind the festival was the looming loss of Tonga cultural identity. With no clear custodian of the culture to guide the youth, urgent action was needed to prevent its erosion by foreign influences or simple neglect.
While Radio Chikuni offers a range of cultural, religious, educational, entertainment, health, and sports programs, most of these are audio-only. The music festival offers a rare chance to showcase Tonga culture both visually and audibly, allowing audiences to witness traditional instruments and performance styles firsthand.
The concert attracts around 100 musicians from within a 50-kilometer radius of Chikuni Mission—and thousands of enthusiastic spectators. Remarkably, both participation and attendance are free, yet winners receive cash prizes.
A Call for SupportPromoting Tonga musicians and safeguarding traditional culture requires a concerted effort from all who care about the future of Zambia’s diverse ethnic groups. Radio Chikuni is committed to taking the festival to new heights each year—both to entertain and to educate. With your support, we will continue to stretch the limits and set the trends, empowering the community and preserving the heritage of the Ba Tonga people
By Matongo Maumbi
Since its establishment in March 2000, Radio Chikuni has organized the annual Tonga Music Concert—a unique festival in Zambia that celebrates the rich musical traditions of the Ba Tonga people. This year, in 2004, the concert was held from August 27th to 28th under the theme "Abaliibe Bantu Bokwesu", which translates to "Let Our People Be".
Among the Ba Tonga, music is not just a form of personal expression but also a powerful means of communication within the community. It promotes unity, imparts wisdom, and passes on knowledge—contributing to the resilience and identity of the Tonga people.
A Festival of Talent and Tradition“Nkosaadi 2004” featured a wide variety of music and entertainment that thrilled the more than 8,000 spectators in attendance. Over 105 groups competed during the two-day event. A notable shift is emerging: younger artists are now rivaling the seasoned performers. This was especially evident in the Kuyabila category, where 15-year-old Roderick Mungala outshone 2002 champion Joseph Chileka for the second consecutive year—an extraordinary achievement for someone so young.
X-Bass, formerly known as Chigome X-Bass, gave a stellar performance in the Kalindula category, winning first prize despite the loss of their group leader. Meanwhile, in other categories, unexpected outcomes kept audiences intrigued. Gonde Culture, a crowd favorite, was narrowly defeated by Azara Culture from Chief Mwanza’s area in Monze District.
Interestingly, the renowned Mashombe Blue Jeans Band did not participate this year. Many speculate that their reputation as champions may have led them to sit out, with some community voices suggesting they should no longer compete due to their consistent dominance. This opened opportunities for newer acts, though the competition remained intense.
Elderly performers, more conservative than the younger generation, showcased deeply traditional music in the Kalumbu and Kankobela categories. Participation was open to all Tongas, with musicians competing across ten categories. Prominent bands were strategically scheduled for the second day to maintain excitement.
This year’s guest musician was Ballard Zulu, who performed his hit song Activities, accompanied by Green Mamba’s Collen Mukonka. The event was inclusive, drawing participants and spectators from all age groups and social sectors. Recognizing the growing impact of the festival, Radio Chikuni raised funds to improve its sound system. For the first time, we delivered the high-quality sound experience the audience longed for. With the concert growing every year, we now plan to construct a permanent stage specifically designed for this event.
A Cultural RevivalThe Tonga Music Concert has been held successfully for the past five years. Among local communities—especially in the Southern Province—it continues to gain popularity. However, it is concerning that support from the business community and well-wishers has steadily declined, forcing Radio Chikuni to cover more of the festival’s costs from its own limited resources.
This year, the music festival was again held alongside a traditional Tonga women’s beauty pageant, organized by the Mukanzubo Cultural Research Institute. This pageant celebrates traditional attire and reflects efforts to preserve Tonga culture through music, cultural programming, and publications in ChiTonga.
Why the Music Festival?“There is no growth without roots,” goes an African adage, highlighting the need to preserve cultural identity in a world increasingly shaped by Western influence. Across Africa, music is widely recognized as a storehouse of tradition—one of the most effective tools for preserving cultural memory.
In light of this, Chikuni Community Radio Station, broadcasting on 91.8 FM and based in the heart of Southern Province, launched the Tonga Traditional Music Festival. The station began broadcasting in March 2000, and by September of that year, it had organized its first music festival. Now the only event of its kind in Zambia, it draws people from across the country and is held annually in August or September.
One of the key motivations behind the festival was the looming loss of Tonga cultural identity. With no clear custodian of the culture to guide the youth, urgent action was needed to prevent its erosion by foreign influences or simple neglect.
While Radio Chikuni offers a range of cultural, religious, educational, entertainment, health, and sports programs, most of these are audio-only. The music festival offers a rare chance to showcase Tonga culture both visually and audibly, allowing audiences to witness traditional instruments and performance styles firsthand.
The concert attracts around 100 musicians from within a 50-kilometer radius of Chikuni Mission—and thousands of enthusiastic spectators. Remarkably, both participation and attendance are free, yet winners receive cash prizes.
A Call for SupportPromoting Tonga musicians and safeguarding traditional culture requires a concerted effort from all who care about the future of Zambia’s diverse ethnic groups. Radio Chikuni is committed to taking the festival to new heights each year—both to entertain and to educate. With your support, we will continue to stretch the limits and set the trends, empowering the community and preserving the heritage of the Ba Tonga people
