Mulanje, November 9, 2015: President Mutharika has advised politicians to refrain from using cultural groups in the country to advance their political agenda saying it affects social economic development of the country.
Mutharika was speaking on Saturday at Chonde in Mulanje District where he graced Lhomwe annual festival popularly known as Mlakho wa Alhomwe.
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He said political interference in cultural groups can promote intolerance among different tribes.
“Cultural grouping like Mlakho wa Alhomwe can help to promote social economic development of the country.
“This is the only way to keep history and support economic development. It is an effective tool for effective development,” Mutharika said.
“My advice is let us all work together as Malawians regardless of our different tribes and contribute positively to the national development,” he said.
He added, “Mulhako is becoming stronger every year as evidenced by over whelming participation and has brought the Lhomwe culture into the lime light which has been ignored and not respected in the past years.
“People were getting shy just to say that they were the Lhomwes.” Mutharika said it is worrisome that the small proportion of the Lhomwe people knows to speak the Lhomwe language.
“Create cultural heritage because every child need to know their language and beliefs including music and dance,” advised Mutharika.
He therefore encouraged tolerance among Lhomwes and asked them to continue enjoying the cordial relationship that exists between the Lhomwe and other tribes in the country.
Mutharika also took advantage of the gathering and advised people in the country regardless of their differences in culture, to contribute positively to social economic development of the country.
“Let us all love our country and avoid behaviors that are pulling back our development such as cutting down of trees carelessly.
“We must not wait for the government to come and work on some things that we can do,” he advised.
Mutharika also advised the Lhomwes and other tribes in the country to respect the elderly per demand of our tradition.
“Getting old does not mean that you practice witchcraft. My government will soon adopt the national policy for the elderly,” said President Mutharika
Minister of Sports development and Culture Grace Chiumia said government is geared to promote different cultures in the country.
She said promotion of culture is of paramount importance as it acts as identity in every community where human being live.
Chiumia asked people in the country to continue promoting their culture as this can also promote tourism.
“Through this annual festival of Mulhako wa Alhomwe, it has encouraged other groups to come out and establish their cultural groups also. This is commendable to all Malawians.
“I want to urge young ones to avoid copying foreign cultures. My ministry wants to ensure that every district should have a cultural village in order to attract tourists and through that promoting the country economy,” she said.
She also advised the Lhomwe people to respect other people’s culture.
Speaking at the same function Mlakho wa Alhomwe chairperson Professor James Seyani said since the establishment of the grouping 8 years ago it has registered successes in promoting and preserving Lhomwe culture.
He said the grouping is a reliable partner in social economic development as it has embarked on promoting education.
Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa told the gathering that Mlakho wa Alhomwe is not a political gathering rather an event to promote the Lhomwe culture.
He paid tribute to the late Bingu wa Mutharika for laying a foundation stone for revamping Lhomwe culture.
Vice President, Saulosi Chilima, some cabinet ministers and local as well as international dignitaries attended the festival.
At the function, UNESCO presented a certificate to Mulanje based Tchopa group recognizing their contribution to preserving culture.
At the function the Lhomwes also paid tribute to late Bright Mangulama who was until his death in August 2015 chairperson of the grouping.
