6 million condoms in for Kulamba ceremony
By Mast Reporter
SIX million condoms have been delivered in Katete District in readiness for the Kulamba Traditional Ceremony of the Chewa-speaking people of Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.
The traditional ceremony is scheduled to take place in Katete this weekend.
Provincial Health Director Mathews Ng’ambi said this when Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) corporate communications officer, Gift Kalaba, paid a courtesy call on him at his office on Tuesday.
Dr Ng’ambi said over 6 million condoms were already delivered out of the anticipated 8 million pieces.
He said his office was working hand in hand with the National Aids Council in facilitating the provision of condoms to the traditional ceremony in an effort to fight the spread of HIV/STIs and unwanted pregnancies.
“Working with the National Aids Council, we are in the process of moving approximately 6 million pieces of condoms to support us. We did this during the Nchwala ceremony in Chipata. But we have a very big ceremony happening this week in Katete, the Kulamba ceremony, so we would like our people to always be safe by making this commodity available around the Kulamba. So, this commodity we have taken in will be available in all the surrounding districts in the province for our people to practice safe sex for those who cannot manage to abstain,” he said.
Dr Ng’ambi said the commodity would significantly support sexual health efforts during the event.
The Kulamba Ceremony is an annual traditional ceremony that portrays the rich cultural heritage of the Chewa people from over 200 chiefdoms in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.
The rich traditional ceremony will be held at Mkaika in Katete District, where millions of people are anticipated to attend.
