During the last weekend of March, I took a 12 hour bus ride from my home to Western Zambia to witness the Kuomboka Ceremoy. This ceremony happens when the king of the Lozi people, the main tribe who live in the Western province, moves from his summer palace because the level of the water in the floodplain rises due to seasonal flooding. Kuomboka means "to get out of water". It dates back to the 17th century. The ceremony is preceeded by the drumming of the royal drums to announce the event. Drums are also used during the procession to coordiate and energize the paddlers.
The king's royal barge is painted with black and white stripes, similar to Zambia's coat of arms. On the top of the barge is a huge black elephant, the ears of which can be moved from the inside. It is propelled by 100 paddlers.
Additionally, the two queens each have their own boat, which are both topped with a bird that also flaps her wings. The children, the princes and princesses also have their own boats with an area shielded from the sun.
The best way to watch the procession, or parade, of royal boats is by riding alongside them in a boat that has a motor. This is because we don't have a group of strong rowers to keep up with them otherwise!
