14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Dancing

Mutomboko is one of the biggest and most significant ceremonies in eastern and southern Africa, although beyond the region it´s nearly unknown. It is held by the Luba-Lunda people from Kazembe state in Mwansabombwe/Kazembe, northeastern Zambia. People are coming from all over the country and even from neighboring DR Congo. Mutomboko is the war dance of the Luba-Lunda, danced by the king Chief Mwata Kazembe at the end of two days of rituals and paying homage to the ancestors, dancing and chanting. On the first day women from 16 villages bring self-brewed beer to the royal compound while the royal band is playing. After having poured the beer into big barrels they all start dancing and chanting frenetically.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2016
Date Uploaded: 09.2016
Photo Location: Mwansabombwe/Kazembe, Zambia
Camera: LEICA Q (Typ 116)
Copyright: © Ulf Krone