News From The Tonga Concert 2010
Yet again this year, Radio Chikuni hosted the eleventh music concert in September and bands from the surrounding areas competed in various categories.The 2010 all Tonga Musical Concert held under the theme “Koba simukobonyina abamwi”, simply translated as ‘make yourself a neighbour’ was officially opened by Catholic Diocese of Monze Bishop Emilio Patriacha.Yes 3rd and 4th September was that time of the year again when people looked forward to the two days of great entertainment, reunions and fun!!The euphoria that gripped the whole Tonga land was evident as over 10,000 spectators thronged to the concert venue to see it all happen.The concert attracted 95 bands competing in 12 various categories namely Kalumbu, Kankobela, Kalyaba, Kuyabila, Seesa, Ndikiti, Chigome, Chikaambe-kaambe, Kalindula, Bukonkoolo and Ma Guitar.
Musicians who did not fall in any of the above categories were put in free style category meant to cater for music which is just too special to fall in any of the 12 categories on the basis of it being a fusion of Tonga-land music and music from other parts of Zambia.In his opening remarks, Bishop Emilio Patriaca appealed to the Tonga people to remain true to their ancestors and never to forget their roots. Bishop Patriaca urged the Tonga Speaking people to cling on to the long held traditions and cultural practices.“However, though it is true we can not live the same way as our ancestors lived, yet we can not forget them. We would not have been born into this world without them. We are who we are because of our ancestors. Therefore we can never cease to honour and respect them. We can not reject our inheritance,” Bishop Patriaca said.
The event was attended by Monze District Commissioner Emmerson Machila and his Gwembe counterpart, Raymond Nampindi, Monze central Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu and executives from different companies.Area MP Jack Mwiimbu described this year’s concert as better than last year’s and said the festival which attracted over 10,000 people, has become an important aspect in the Renaissance of Tonga culture.Mr Mwiimbu says the diversification showcased this year by the participating bands is a true demonstration of the Tonga musician’s apt adaptation to the changing world in a quest to inculcate a sense of belonging to other tribes, who are also the target market for music from Tonga land.And of course he is right, for this year most artists were clad in the right attire, and not the replica soccer jerseys and fourth- grade low quality jeans from China we have become accustomed to all these years. The stage presence was enthralling enough, and yes all those workshops with the Sakala brothers on perfecting the stage act paid! Dr Manasseh Phiri, the Director of Society for Family Health, attending the concert for the first time, described the festival as “phenomenal” and hailed Radio Chikuni for initiating the idea of the annual All Tonga Music Concert. For Dr Manasseh, his interest is to work with Radio Chikuni and the Musicians in Tonga land so that they communicate health messages through their music in a quest to encourage positive health behaviour in communities.‘The concert is truly a renaissance of Zambian art’, says Dr Bright Chunga, he director of Trade Kings Zambia limited.For the third time, during our course of interviews, another notable guest
uses the word Renaissance yet again. It is the Monze District commissioner; Emmerson Machila.He tells us that the concert this year is fifteen times better than last year!“ It has become a source of value, pride ,civilization and a fora to depict a way of life of the Tonga and what is even more impressive is that our musicians are adapting to change so fast, like they say, we now live in a global village. This is truly wonderful, Mr Machila said.For Jack Mwiimbu, he has one dream for the musicians in his constituency. They have the talent quite fine but they lack modern instruments and they have no one to promote their music. His dream is to see these very talented musicians rise from the shambles of poverty and reach sustaining levels ....yes the professional approach where these musicians will be able to send their children to school, and earn a living from their music.For that dream to happen, Mr Mwiimbu believes that musicians must bring a few modern attributes to their music so as to attract the “other larger market’, apart from the already identified smaller market”. Now we finally have a chat with Fr Kennedy Sampa, the associate Director from a Catholic Community Radio Station; Oblate Radio Liseli in Mongu, Western Province. Fr Sampa poses a very “great question” to Radio Chikuni. Quite alright, he is impressed by how they have managed to host the concert all these years.Fr Sampa has only one challenge (question) to the radio station, Radio Chikuni has always hosted the concert all these years, but can the community (Tonga speaking ) host the concert on their own? Or more precisely, what will happen in the event that Radio Chikuni is not there, will the concert continue or die? Have the people taken it that it is their concert and they can host it without Radio Chikuni? Yes quite thought provoking question from Fr Sampa. And right he is. Up to
now, The Radio station has been and remains the biggest contributor to the concert, while the community’s contribution remains minimal.The cost of hosting such an important event cost the radio station millions as no one pays to participate or watch the concert but the winners in various categories walk away with cash prizes.The concert actually is supposed to help the Radio station to raise money not to take away money from us, as we are and remain a non profit organisation striving to meet our operational costs, piracy is almost killing our music production section, our tapes, CDS and DVDs can not compete favourably with cheap pirated musical products.And this mistaken notion that the Radio has all the money to do everything is quite prevalent even among enlightened members of our community.The Radio station needs support from all those dedicated to the development and preservation of the unique traditions of different ethnic groups in Zambia, the Tonga culture in particular, without the concert the unique traditions will wane away as there is no custodian for the Tonga culture.An estimated 12, 000 people every year come to watch the concert, and this offers a perfect platform for companies wishing to advertise their products and services.Help Radio Chikuni preserve a unique way of life of the Tonga people by partnering with the station for the successful hosting of the 2011 musical concert.For the past ten years, the all Tonga Music Concert has become synonymous with Radio Chikuni and thousands of people from the surrounding areas all head to the concert arena to celebrate and enjoy the very best of Tonga culture.As a community radio station, Radio Chikuni remains committed to the preservation of the Tonga culture through music and dance.This is because music is an important medium of communication for many African tribes, through music communal and family ties are strengthened, knowledge and wisdom is passed from one generation to the next and counsel about many issues regarding the African way of life are transmitted through music.For the Tonga, music is an important aspect of their culture, elderly people hand down unique revered traditions to the young through music. Since time immemorial, music for the Tonga people has helped to showcase a unique way of life.The first concert was held in 1999, and from that time the concert has become popular not only in Monze but other parts of the country. It has over the years helped to showcase the richness and diversity of the unique traditions of the Tonga and has given a platform to many young people to launch their music careers.
By Nchimunya Mweemba and Moombe Hamoobola
Musicians who did not fall in any of the above categories were put in free style category meant to cater for music which is just too special to fall in any of the 12 categories on the basis of it being a fusion of Tonga-land music and music from other parts of Zambia.In his opening remarks, Bishop Emilio Patriaca appealed to the Tonga people to remain true to their ancestors and never to forget their roots. Bishop Patriaca urged the Tonga Speaking people to cling on to the long held traditions and cultural practices.“However, though it is true we can not live the same way as our ancestors lived, yet we can not forget them. We would not have been born into this world without them. We are who we are because of our ancestors. Therefore we can never cease to honour and respect them. We can not reject our inheritance,” Bishop Patriaca said.
The event was attended by Monze District Commissioner Emmerson Machila and his Gwembe counterpart, Raymond Nampindi, Monze central Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu and executives from different companies.Area MP Jack Mwiimbu described this year’s concert as better than last year’s and said the festival which attracted over 10,000 people, has become an important aspect in the Renaissance of Tonga culture.Mr Mwiimbu says the diversification showcased this year by the participating bands is a true demonstration of the Tonga musician’s apt adaptation to the changing world in a quest to inculcate a sense of belonging to other tribes, who are also the target market for music from Tonga land.And of course he is right, for this year most artists were clad in the right attire, and not the replica soccer jerseys and fourth- grade low quality jeans from China we have become accustomed to all these years. The stage presence was enthralling enough, and yes all those workshops with the Sakala brothers on perfecting the stage act paid! Dr Manasseh Phiri, the Director of Society for Family Health, attending the concert for the first time, described the festival as “phenomenal” and hailed Radio Chikuni for initiating the idea of the annual All Tonga Music Concert. For Dr Manasseh, his interest is to work with Radio Chikuni and the Musicians in Tonga land so that they communicate health messages through their music in a quest to encourage positive health behaviour in communities.‘The concert is truly a renaissance of Zambian art’, says Dr Bright Chunga, he director of Trade Kings Zambia limited.For the third time, during our course of interviews, another notable guest
uses the word Renaissance yet again. It is the Monze District commissioner; Emmerson Machila.He tells us that the concert this year is fifteen times better than last year!“ It has become a source of value, pride ,civilization and a fora to depict a way of life of the Tonga and what is even more impressive is that our musicians are adapting to change so fast, like they say, we now live in a global village. This is truly wonderful, Mr Machila said.For Jack Mwiimbu, he has one dream for the musicians in his constituency. They have the talent quite fine but they lack modern instruments and they have no one to promote their music. His dream is to see these very talented musicians rise from the shambles of poverty and reach sustaining levels ....yes the professional approach where these musicians will be able to send their children to school, and earn a living from their music.For that dream to happen, Mr Mwiimbu believes that musicians must bring a few modern attributes to their music so as to attract the “other larger market’, apart from the already identified smaller market”. Now we finally have a chat with Fr Kennedy Sampa, the associate Director from a Catholic Community Radio Station; Oblate Radio Liseli in Mongu, Western Province. Fr Sampa poses a very “great question” to Radio Chikuni. Quite alright, he is impressed by how they have managed to host the concert all these years.Fr Sampa has only one challenge (question) to the radio station, Radio Chikuni has always hosted the concert all these years, but can the community (Tonga speaking ) host the concert on their own? Or more precisely, what will happen in the event that Radio Chikuni is not there, will the concert continue or die? Have the people taken it that it is their concert and they can host it without Radio Chikuni? Yes quite thought provoking question from Fr Sampa. And right he is. Up to
now, The Radio station has been and remains the biggest contributor to the concert, while the community’s contribution remains minimal.The cost of hosting such an important event cost the radio station millions as no one pays to participate or watch the concert but the winners in various categories walk away with cash prizes.The concert actually is supposed to help the Radio station to raise money not to take away money from us, as we are and remain a non profit organisation striving to meet our operational costs, piracy is almost killing our music production section, our tapes, CDS and DVDs can not compete favourably with cheap pirated musical products.And this mistaken notion that the Radio has all the money to do everything is quite prevalent even among enlightened members of our community.The Radio station needs support from all those dedicated to the development and preservation of the unique traditions of different ethnic groups in Zambia, the Tonga culture in particular, without the concert the unique traditions will wane away as there is no custodian for the Tonga culture.An estimated 12, 000 people every year come to watch the concert, and this offers a perfect platform for companies wishing to advertise their products and services.Help Radio Chikuni preserve a unique way of life of the Tonga people by partnering with the station for the successful hosting of the 2011 musical concert.For the past ten years, the all Tonga Music Concert has become synonymous with Radio Chikuni and thousands of people from the surrounding areas all head to the concert arena to celebrate and enjoy the very best of Tonga culture.As a community radio station, Radio Chikuni remains committed to the preservation of the Tonga culture through music and dance.This is because music is an important medium of communication for many African tribes, through music communal and family ties are strengthened, knowledge and wisdom is passed from one generation to the next and counsel about many issues regarding the African way of life are transmitted through music.For the Tonga, music is an important aspect of their culture, elderly people hand down unique revered traditions to the young through music. Since time immemorial, music for the Tonga people has helped to showcase a unique way of life.The first concert was held in 1999, and from that time the concert has become popular not only in Monze but other parts of the country. It has over the years helped to showcase the richness and diversity of the unique traditions of the Tonga and has given a platform to many young people to launch their music careers.
By Nchimunya Mweemba and Moombe Hamoobola
Winners Of The 2010 Tonga Concert
KALYABA
1. Tonga Band
2. Junior Hampongo
3. --
NDIKITI
1. Bana Hampongo
2. Tuyandaule Band
3. Sikapande Band
SESA
1. Hachaanga Cultural Band
2.Solon Nangulu
3.Bruno Habwela
KUYABILA
1.Richard Chiimbwe
2. Rodrick Mungala
3. James Shimatambo
SPECIAL CATGORY
1. --
MaGuitar
1. Patson Kanyama
2. Sevity Tumbachanji
3. Caristo Hanjola
KANKOBELA
1. Aron Nchenje
2. Joseph Mweene Manyona
3. Andrew George Munyumbwe
CHIGOME
1.Davison Chizyuka
2. Namalizyi Band
3.Hamasaka Bwaana
CHIKAAMBE-KAAMBE
1. Laseesa Cultural Group
2. --
3. --
BUKONKOOLO
1. Choobe Women
2. Katete Band
3. --
KALUMBU
1. Machila Jacob
2. Mbongwe Enock
3. Cheelo Chrispin
KALINDULA
1. Chiyobola Band
2. Kakuyu Brothers Band
3. Jabalando Brothers Band
FREE STYLE
1. Mangoma Kulila -Mantyantya
2. Bina Lilly - Kutwa
3. Bana Chipembele Band - Kukambilwa
4 Robert Habeenze - Creativity
FREE STYLE
5. Ngoma Ya Mwami Ufwenuka - Masabe
6. Nazyaando - Mankuli-nkuli
7. Varelio Sichuunga - Kutwa
1. Tonga Band
2. Junior Hampongo
3. --
NDIKITI
1. Bana Hampongo
2. Tuyandaule Band
3. Sikapande Band
SESA
1. Hachaanga Cultural Band
2.Solon Nangulu
3.Bruno Habwela
KUYABILA
1.Richard Chiimbwe
2. Rodrick Mungala
3. James Shimatambo
SPECIAL CATGORY
1. --
MaGuitar
1. Patson Kanyama
2. Sevity Tumbachanji
3. Caristo Hanjola
KANKOBELA
1. Aron Nchenje
2. Joseph Mweene Manyona
3. Andrew George Munyumbwe
CHIGOME
1.Davison Chizyuka
2. Namalizyi Band
3.Hamasaka Bwaana
CHIKAAMBE-KAAMBE
1. Laseesa Cultural Group
2. --
3. --
BUKONKOOLO
1. Choobe Women
2. Katete Band
3. --
KALUMBU
1. Machila Jacob
2. Mbongwe Enock
3. Cheelo Chrispin
KALINDULA
1. Chiyobola Band
2. Kakuyu Brothers Band
3. Jabalando Brothers Band
FREE STYLE
1. Mangoma Kulila -Mantyantya
2. Bina Lilly - Kutwa
3. Bana Chipembele Band - Kukambilwa
4 Robert Habeenze - Creativity
FREE STYLE
5. Ngoma Ya Mwami Ufwenuka - Masabe
6. Nazyaando - Mankuli-nkuli
7. Varelio Sichuunga - Kutwa