2019 Kupuwana Traditional Ceremony

His Majesty the Litunga – The Barotse Royal Visit to Livingstone 2019

For the First Time In 72 Years! A truly historic event…

During the first weekend of the Livingstone Sports Festival, the attendance of His Majesty Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II drew in large crowds of both the local and international community for the Kupuwana Traditional Ceremony.

Ahead of the official start date of the sports festival, His Majesty visited the Zambezi Boat Club to meet with LSF founder and Chairman of Zambia Tourism Authority Mr. Peter Jones. He viewed the national monument at the Zambezi Boat Club, venue of the famous meeting between Litunga Lubosi Imwiko I (his father) and King George VI in 1947, known later as ‘the King’s Landing’. The Litunga then unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit to the Club, which will later be permanently set in stone. This private gathering included a meeting with the ‘Row Zambezi’ team who previously met His Majesty in 2011 when they rowed through Western Province to raise awareness for clean water. During his visit, His Majesty the Litunga, spoke with James Hitchings on the foundation “Save the Zambezi” whose objectives are to regulate and improve fishing practices on the upper reaches of the river. His Majesty then planted a tree with Mr Benji Mbenge in the grounds of the boat club to encourage conservation of the environment.

The Livingstone Sports Festival began on Friday 13th September 2019 with the Kupuwana Traditional Royal Ceremony. The last time Livingstone saw such an event was in 1947 (72 years ago) when His Majesty Litunga Lubosi Imwiko I welcomed King George VI to the territory. Spectators from both Zambia and Zimbabwe followed the Indila (Royal barge) flotilla along both shores of the Zambezi River, whilst others awaited his arrival at the Zambezi Boat Club during this historic event.

The Oxford, Cambridge and South African alumni teams, were also in attendance to witness this very special occasion, with some of the men wearing a lishushu (traditional Lozi cap) in support of the Kupuwana ceremony.

On the 14th September 2019, The Litunga flagged off the 5th International Regatta aboard The Lady Livingstone. At the close of the event, His Majesty Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II presented the winning teams with medals and trophies.

Photos taken by Robs Cook (@robscook), Madelaine Barr (@m.s.b_photography) and Sand Media