Tumaini Festival Cancelled for the First Time

By Smile Hamilton Malawi

The Tumaini Festival, one of the major cultural events held at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa, Malawi, has been cancelled this year, becoming the first edition to be called off since the festival was established.

Tumaini Letu, the organisation behind the annual event, has confirmed the cancellation but says preparations are already underway to bring the festival back in 2027.

Tumaini Letu senior official Bryce Chawiya said the cancellation would not mark the end of the festival, as organisers have already started working on plans for next year’s edition.

“We have already started looking at what is needed to make sure the festival takes place next year,” Chawiya said.

The Tumaini Festival brings together refugees from different countries living at Dzaleka Refugee Camp and Malawians from Dowa and other parts of the country.

The annual event promotes cultural exchange, friendship and social cohesion among communities from different backgrounds.

It features a range of activities, including traditional dances, music performances, cultural presentations and sporting competitions involving participants from different countries.

The cancellation means organisers, participants and festival-goers will have to wait until 2027 for the next edition of the event.