One of the festival’s coordinators, Eric Trinta, Nyamithambo Arts Palace Managing Director, told Zodiak Online that the event is aimed at creating wealth among the communities through utilization of natural capitals and in boosting tourism.

“You know we have M’bona Shrine which is recognized internationally under UNESCO. All these are supposed to go out and we can only do this by having a festival in the Shire valley,” said Trinta.

He said Saturday will be the main event day, “where we will have dignitaries, traditional leaders and communities at the prison ground where cultural dances will be showcased; Valimba, Utse, Gule Wamkulu, you name it, you know when you are talking about Shire Valley it’s a combination of Sena and Chewa, we call the Chewa’s as Mang’anjas, other than that, we will also showcase heritage things including food.

Senior Chief Malemia of Nsanje has described the festival as critical in preserving culture saying, “most of our children have learnt about M’bona for many years and it has been part of our curriculum; it's written in most of the books.

“The younger generation should also learn from elders and traditional leaders, what is culture, why is Khulubvi so important, what is the historical aspect of khulubvi? That needs to be taught.”

The event which has been themed ‘counting the cost of floods’ will be characterized by performances by Lucky Stars of Chinafuna m’bale, Agoloso, Lome, Nyandoro, Thimfu and poetry among others.