He made the remarks at a gathering hosted by the Mwanyongo families, which brought relatives together to socialise, strengthen bonds, and celebrate their shared heritage.
PGVH Mweniyumba noted that such events play a vital role in promoting Ngonde culture.
The traditional leader said such gatherings help to reduce intermarriage among close relatives by improving mutual recognition and fostering respect among family members.
He urged other families under his jurisdiction to follow the Mwanyongo example and highly commended them for committing to hold the gathering every year.
Chairperson of the event, Bornface Chifwano Mwanyongo, said this year’s gathering was a success and effectively united the families.
He explained that the initiative began in 2022 with just 14 households coming together to build closer ties and curb marriages within the extended family caused by a lack of recognition.
Member of Parliament for Karonga Town, Daniel Mwanyongo Chitonya, who is also a member of the Mwanyongo family, thanked PGVH Mweniyumba for attending as guest of honour, which elevated the prestige of the occasion.
Chitonya encouraged other families in his constituency to adopt similar initiatives and pledged his personal support for such efforts.
The event was enriched by traditional performances, including Indingala, Indolo, and a performance by the Chikolapa Performing Arts group.
By Austin Sute Kayisi