Documentary about yearly Barotse migration.

Yearly rise of the flood waters on the Zambezi necessitates a seasonal migration - Kuomboka - from the Barotse's Capital on the Plains, Lealui, to the Capital on the Slopes, Limalunga. Cattle are driven to safety, and the paramount chief gives the order for the migration of river craft to begin. State barge, the Nalikwanda, powered by 80 oarsmen, leads the flotilla - if an oarsman misses a stroke he is thrown overboard, but unlike the custom in previous times, he is rescued by one of the following craft. Arrival of the flotilla at Limalunga is followed by three days of celebrations. The Litunga Mwanawina III steps ashore to receive the royal salute and the homage of his people - he walks to the royal residence from where he will watch the celebrations. Column of school girls carrying a large Union Jack "gives a modern and progressive note to the proceedings". However, the celebrations are dominated by the performances of the Makishi dancers, the origins of which are lost in antiquity. "Only since the introduction of the jive, does it strike Europeans as startlingly familiar." With coming of evening, Mwanawina retires, his mind at ease now that the Barotse people are safe from the rising waters of the Zambezi.

Notes

Documentation/associated material: those who are interested may refer to 'A History of Zambia', A D Roberts, 1976.