by admin on | 2025-12-17 02:39:45
Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
We wish the Queen Mother of the Bemba Royal Establishment, Mumbimukulu, who has been admitted to Kasama General Hospital since last week, a quick recovery.
The Bemba Royal Establishment, is centered around a foundational figure in the matrilineal history: Mumbi Mukasa, also known as Mumbi Mukasa Liulu, the legendary
queen from the crocodile clan (Ng'andu) with her sons leading the Bemba people and, making her the spiritual "mother" and source of their royalty.
The current (Mumbi) Chanda Mukulu is the mother to former Kasama Central Member of Parliament and UPP leader, Saviour Chishimba.
We also have Chanda Mukulu (in Kasama) and Mukuka Mfumu (Chinsali) holding the same significant title for the lineage of Senior Chief Nkula.
Bemba Queen Mother
Here is a brief history.
MUMBI MUKASA THE BEMBA QUEEN
MUMBI MUKASA UWAMATWI AYAKULU NGE NSOFU
An artist's impression of MUMBI MUKASA the Bemba Queen.
The Bemba found in Northern and Muchinga provinces of Zambia are matrilineal and their origins are said to be traced to this woman MUMBI MUKASA who they say had ears like an elephant.
Bemba's believe that she fell from the heavens and that is why their chief Mukulumpe had to make her as one of his wives.
She bore Mukulumpe three "naughty" boys and a girl. The boys Katongo. Nkole and Chiti were in conflict with their father who felt they were a threat to his throne.
It is believed that the elder son Katongo eloped with one of Mukulumpe's young wives and received the punishment of having his eyes plucked out. Nkole and Chiti migrated to modern day Zambia in fear of their father.
When they reached a place where they found a dead crocodile, they decided to settle because they thought it was a good omen especially that their mother's clan the N'gandu's totem sign was a crocodile. The youngest brother Chiti became King and took the name Chiti Mukulu.
Chiti sent one of his people to go back and fetch their sister so that their lineage could continue.
When Chiti and Nkole died after an altercation with the Senga Chief Mwase, in love triangle, the sister Chilufya's son became the second Chiti Mukulu.
To this day, a Chiti Mukulu is chosen through a woman from the N'gandu's crocodile clan.
Artwork MUMBI MUKASA by Andrew Mwananshiku ( 1992)
CREDIT: The Bemba Kingdom
