Smile Hamilton, Malawi
A disturbing incident unfolded on Saturday in Rumphi, Malawi, following the conclusion of the Tumbuka culture festival Gonapamuhanya at the Kadumuliro cultural site.
Festival goers were attacked, and a minibus transporting people from Phoka was vandalized, while its windows shattered.
To quell the chaos, police intervened with tear gas unfortunately leaving several individuals injured.
Group Village Headman Chilongozgi has been taken into custody in connection with the incident and is currently being held at Rumphi police station.
According to Rumphi Police Station spokesperson Noel Kamchenga, the traditional leader was allegedly among those hurling insults and stones at festival attendees.
Kamchenga assured that the situation is now under control, with heightened security measures in place at Bolero .
The Tumbuka people, a Bantu ethnic group residing in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania, have a rich cultural heritage. Their language, chiTumbuka, is a Bantu language with various dialects. Incidents like these highlight the importance of maintaining peace and respect during cultural events.