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| [[Image:Nalikwanda.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The King's barge]]
| | '''Limulunga''' is one of the two compounds of the Litunga, king of the [[Lozi people]] of western [[Zambia]]. It lies on high ground at the edge of the [[Barotse Floodplain]] of the [[Zambezi]] river, about 15 km north of the town of [[Mongu]] and 21 km east of the main channel of the river. The Litunga's other compound at [[Lealui]] is used during the [[dry season]], with Limulunga being used during the rainy season. The annual move between the two compounds is celebrated in the [[Kuomboka]] festival. |
| '''Kuomboka''' is a word in the [[Lozi language]]; it literally means ‘to get out of water’. In today's [[Zambia]] it is applied to a traditional [[ceremony]] that takes place at the end of the rain season, when the upper [[Zambezi River]] floods the plains of the Western Province. | |
| The festival celebrates the move of the Litunga, king of the [[Lozi people]], from his compound at [[Lealui]] in the [[Barotse Floodplain]] of the [[Zambezi]] River to [[Limulunga]] on higher ground. | |
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| The ceremony is preceded by heavy drumming of the royal Maoma drums, which echoes around the royal capital the day before Kuomboka, announcing the event.
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| The King's state barge is called Nalikwanda and is painted black and white, like Zambia's coat of arms. On the barge is a replica of a huge black elephant, the ears of which can be moved from inside the barge. There is also a fire on board, the smoke from which tells the people that the king is alive and well.
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| For his wife there is a second barge. This one has a huge cattle egret (Nalwange) on top. The wings move like the ears of the elephant, up and down.
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| | [[Category:Barotseland]] |
| [[Category:Zambian culture]] | | [[Category:Zambian culture]] |
| | [[Category:Buildings and structures in Zambia]] |
| | [[Category:Populated places in Zambia]] |
| | [[Category:Populated places in Western Province, Zambia]] |