Domestic and heritage tourism in Zambia becomes important

Tourism is one of Zambia’s most important import, but also the domestic traveler is becoming more and more important.In Zambia, Historical and cultural heritage sites in Bungoma are now set for restor

Tourism is one of Zambia’s most important import, but also the domestic traveler is becoming more and more important.In Zambia, Historical and cultural heritage sites in Bungoma are now set for restoration and preservation in a new initiative to boost local and foreign tourism to the country.

The sites include Chetambe Fort ruins in Webuye and Mulukoba-Lumboka where the Bukusu and Tachoni began their uprising against the British colonialists in 1895.

Others are Mwihala wa Mango in Malakisi, Sirisia, where legend has it as the origin of the circumcision rite among the Bukusu, Mt Elgon Sacred Caves and Sikele Sya Mulia- human foot imprint on stone at Sang’alo in Kanduyi.

Governor Kenneth Lusaka launched the initiative yesterday in Bumula during a visit to the Tulumba home of chief Sudi Namachanja, officially known as Joseph Sikata, who reigned as South Bukusu chief between 1907 and 1950.

Lusaka said an education and cultural centre and a hotel complex will be constructed at the Tulumba site in honour of the late Namachanja.

“Sudi was a hero who served as paramount chief for 48 years and fathered 173 children among them Cardinal Otunga,” the governor said.

Culture county executive Stephen Kokonya said the sites earmarked for development were on private land but the county government had reached agreements with owners to restore, develop and preserve them as tourist attraction sites.

Lusaka told Kokonya to try and have the sites ready for groundbreaking by February 21.

Teresa Nakhungu, the Tourism county executive said it is crucial for local communities to preserve their history and cultural heritage for future generations to trace their roots.

She emphasized the importance of education and technology acquisition by the youth as the foundation towards wealth creation.

The revered administrator who passed on in February 1971 at the age of 99 had married 117 wives and sired 173 children among them the late Cardinal Maurice Otunga-who served as the Catholic archbishop for Nairobi and is now on his way to sainthood.

The late paramount chief is now set for recognition as a Bukusu hero along with Dini Ya Musambwa founder and freedom fighter Elijah Masinde. Also in this league is the late Masinde Muliro who hailed from Kimilili in Bungoma but was interred at his Sibanga home in Trans Nzoia county when he passed in 1992.

Lusaka told Kokonya: you must have the site ready for ground breaking ceremony in two months’ time on February 21, next year that could be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta. We are taking this exercise seriously and we mean business unlike those befoe us who were dishonest and lied to the public for selfish gains.

“As leaders we must be truthful, we must work for our people as we promised during the campaigns and recognize that endless political wrangling among the region’s leaders in the past was responsible for underdevelopment of Bungoma and unite now”.

Teresa Nakhungu, the Tourism and Environment county executive observed it was crucial for local communities to preserve their history and cultural heritage for future generations to trace their roots. she emphasized the importance of education and technology acquisition by the youth as the foundation towards wealth creation.

At the meeting were Bungoma County Assembly members Henry Nyongesa, Moses Wakala, Joseph Nyongesa, Opicho, Chrysanthus Wechuli, and Fwaro who all lauded the initiative by the county government as timely and supported the unity call from the governor.
– See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-147084/lusakas-bid-promote-tourism#sthash.JHgJixaV.dpuf

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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