Kuomboka is a word in the Lozi language; it literally means ‘to get out of water’. In today’s Zambia it is applied to a traditional ceremony that takes place at the end of the rain season, when the upper Zambezi River floods the plains of the Western Province. The festival celebrates the move of the Litunga, king of the Lozi people, from his compound at Lealui in the Barotse Floodplain of the Zambezi River to Limulunga on higher ground. The return trip is usually held in August with a less publicized journey called the Kufuluhela.
The ceremony begins with two white scout canoes that are sent to check the depth of the water and for the presence of any enemies. Once the scouts signal the “all clear”, the journey to the highland begins. The Litunga’s royal boat is followed by another boat for his wife and another for the Prime Minister. The journey to Limulunga normally takes about 6–8 hours.
The King’s state barge is called Nalikwanda and is painted black and white, like Zambia’s coat of arms. On the barge is a replica of a huge black elephant, the ears of which can be moved from inside the barge. There is also a fire on board, the smoke from which tells the people that the king is alive and well.
For his wife there is a second barge. This one has a huge cattle egret (Nalwange) on top. The wings move like the ears of the elephant, up and down.
Details
- Designer: Gabriel Ellison
- Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd
- Process: Lithography (Delacryl process)
- Paper:
- Watermark: None
- Perf: 12.5 (comb)
- Cylinders: Printed in two panes, separated by horizontal gutters.
- 1B (Yellow) 1B (Black) 1B (Cyan) 1B (Magenta) 1B (Orange) : 1A (Yellow) 1A (Black) 1A (Cyan) 1A (Magenta) 1A (Orange) [left : right]
- Sheet: R10 x 2 (20 stamps)
- Quantity:
References
- Wikipedia: Kuomboka
- Zambia’s Postage Stamps: The Post-Federation Stamp Issues of Northern Rhodesia (1963-1971) – A. R. Drysdall, J. Case