Chipata Mourns as Zambia Bids Farewell to Paramount Chief Mpezeni in State Funeral

By Burnett Munthali…………

The burial ceremony for Paramount Chief Mpezeni is underway in Chipata District, Eastern Province, drawing mourners from across Zambia and beyond.

The Ngoni nation and traditional leaders from Southern Africa have converged at Ephendukeni Palace to pay their final respects to one of the region’s most influential traditional rulers.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni, who died on May 30, 2026, is being laid to rest at Ephendukeni Palace, the seat of the Ngoni Royal Establishment.

His passing marks the end of an era for the Ngoni people, whose history and identity are deeply tied to the Mpezeni dynasty.

The funeral has been accorded state honors, reflecting the government’s recognition of the chief’s role in preserving culture and fostering national unity.

President Hakainde Hichilema is among several dignitaries and thousands of Zambians attending the funeral.

Cabinet ministers, members of parliament, and representatives of diplomatic missions were also present, underscoring the national significance of the occasion.

Traditional ceremonies, including Ngoni war dances and praise poetry, preceded the burial rites, blending cultural heritage with solemn remembrance.

Elders and royal family members led rituals that honored the late chief’s lineage and his contributions to community development and conflict resolution.

Security was heightened around Chipata to manage the large crowds and ensure the smooth conduct of the state funeral.

Local businesses and schools in the district observed a period of quiet as residents joined in mourning their paramount chief.

President Hichilema, in remarks ahead of the burial, commended the Ngoni Royal Establishment for maintaining peace and order during the mourning period.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional leaders on issues of development, land, and social cohesion.

For many mourners, the ceremony is both a moment of grief and a reaffirmation of the enduring relevance of traditional authority in Zambia.

The Ngoni people trace their origins to the 19th-century migrations led by King Zwangendaba, and the Mpezeni line has remained central to their identity.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni was widely regarded as a custodian of Ngoni customs and a voice for rural communities in Eastern Province.

His leadership spanned years of political and social change, during which he sought to balance tradition with the demands of modern governance.

As the coffin was lowered at Ephendukeni Palace, the crowd fell silent, marking the conclusion of public rites for a leader who shaped a generation.

The burial concludes a week of national mourning that saw tributes flow from across Zambia’s political and traditional spectrum.