Pomp, memories for the late Bingu wa Mutharika and sentiments of being persecuted for being Lomwe people characterised this year’s Mulhakho wa Alomwe annual celebration on Sunday at the group’s headquarters at Chonde in Mulanje.

In the speeches, there were expressions of the feeling of people belonging to the Lomwe tribe being subjected to injustice by the current administration of President Joyce Banda.

One of the organisers of the function and trustee, Leston Mulli, claimed it was a fact that many people from the group have been targeted for victimisation but that should not disintegrate the group.

“Even at this time when some of our people are being victimised, let’s stand in unity. The group is facing a lot of hell,” he said, citing the firing of some Lomwe officials from government positions.

He said this should not demoralise them but make them stronger and continue loving each other.

Mulli also lashed at people who continue talking ill of the late Mutharika saying the former president did a lot for the country to be proud of.

Particularly notable with this event was the arrival at the function of Paramount Chief Mkhumba on a carrier hoisted by his subjects.

Commenting on this, one of the trustees, Edward Sawerengera, said this was part of their culture which stretched from years back.

He also announced that Mkhumba is the new patron of the Mulhakho wa Alhomwe group replacing Mutharika who died in April this year.

Speaking on behalf of Mkhumba and all the traditional leaders in the Lomwe belt, Chief Ngongoliwa urged the Lomwe people to be proud of their culture.

Among those that attended the event included Bingu’s widow, Callista, and young brother Peter, Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo, chiefs from Zambia representing the Chewa leader, Gawa Undi.

Unlike in previous occasions when the function used to see a large presence of government officials, there was such little presence this time, with ordinary people participating in large numbers.