By Womba Kasela

In the heart of Western Zambia, the mighty Zambezi River comes alive each year with the grandeur of the Kuomboka ceremony, a vibrant celebration of Lozi culture and royal tradition. At the centre of this spectacular event is the Litunga, King of the Lozi people, who journeys from Lealui to Limulunga aboard the majestic Nalikwanda barge. This symbolic voyage marks the seasonal shift from the flooding plains to higher ground. Yet beneath the rhythm of royal drums, energetic paddling and festive dances, a quieter narrative is emerging, one rooted in conservation and cultural resilience.

The Litunga’s attire throughout the ceremony reflects a profound blend of heritage, symbolism and evolving identity. At the beginning of the procession in Lealui, he dons the Sikutingo, a traditional kilt composed of a waistcoat and a richly adorned wrapper. This garment grounds him in Lozi customs and spirituality, emphasising his dual role as both cultural leader and divine custodian of the Barotse people.

As the ceremony progresses, the Litunga changes into a formal British admiral’s uniform, a striking contrast to the traditional Sikutingo. This transformation signifies a symbolic shift from indigenous authority to diplomatic leadership. The uniform, a vestige of Barotseland’s historical ties with the British Empire, speaks to the enduring legacy of colonial interactions. According to the Barotse Royal Establishment- BRE, the Litunga is regarded as a symbolic member of the British House of Lords by virtue of wearing this ceremonial outfit, an emblem of historical recognition and political stature.

While the Litunga’s wardrobe remains free of animal products, the same cannot be said for his royal paddlers. Shandu Maswabi, also known by his traditional title Induna Luyanga, explains that the paddlers are traditionally clad in authentic wild cat skins, powerful symbols of strength, courage and prestige in Lozi culture. However, this revered custom has come at a cost. 

The persistent demand for wild cat pelts to maintain ceremonial authenticity has raised alarm among conservationists, placing increased pressure on already vulnerable wildlife populations. As the ceremony endures, so too does the need to balance cultural preservation with sustainable practices.

According to Induna Luyanga, wild cat skin was traditionally sourced from the Kafue, Liuwa and Sioma ngwezi national parks, supplied by specific individuals to men who were potential royal paddlers for the Kuomboka ceremony. These skins were not randomly acquired; rather, a network of hunters and suppliers ensured that eligible men had access to them, given the importance of the role they might play.

“Any man who stood a chance of being selected to paddle the Nalikwanda, the King’s royal barge, needed to have a real animal skin ready,” Induna Luyanga explained. “The skin symbolises strength and valour. Only those chosen to protect the Litunga can wear it because the Litunga is sacred and must be shielded by men who represent fearlessness.”

The number of paddlers who accompany the Litunga ranges from a minimum of 120 to as many as 180, all of them expected to wear genuine wild cat skins. These were supplied directly from hunting activities, often with the backing of formal permissions in earlier years.

“In the past, before poaching escalated, the men who supplied these skins operated under a system,” said Induna Luyanga. “Eligible paddlers would get authorisation letters from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, allowing them to hunt wild cats legally. But as the tradition grew, so did the demand. The supply couldn’t keep up and wild cat populations began to drop as an estimated 300 wild cats are needs to supply this demand annually.”

The growing scarcity of wild cats has placed the Kuomboka ceremony at a crossroads caught between preserving cultural identity and protecting endangered wildlife. As these majestic animals continued to be hunted to meet the demands of the ceremony, the rate at which they were killed far outpaced any efforts at natural replacement within the national parks. Leopards and other wild cats, once abundant in Zambia’s protected areas, began to vanish from the landscape, leaving both conservationists and traditional leaders grappling with a difficult question: what would become of the ceremony if the animals it relied on disappeared?

This dilemma not only threatened the authenticity of the Kuomboka but also posed a serious challenge to wildlife conservation efforts. The need for a sustainable solution became urgent. The answer came in the form of synthetic Heritage Fur, carefully crafted replicas that preserve the visual and symbolic essence of traditional wild cat skins without endangering actual animals.

In 2019, Panthera, a global conservation organisation specialising in the protection of wild cats collaborated with the Barotse Royal Establishment of the Lozi people to expand their Furs for Life project in Zambia, which is aimed at safeguarding both the vibrant cultural traditions and the dwindling wild cat populations. The organisation provided synthetic Heritage Fur garments, urging the community to transition away from real animal skins. This marked a transformative shift, one that sought to honour tradition while embracing conservation. For the first time, a bridge was formed between cultural heritage and ecological responsibility.

“Today, no one is permitted to step onto the Nalikwanda without wearing the synthetic Heritage Fur,” Induna Luyanga stated firmly. “We no longer allow the use of real animal skins.” This directive marks a significant cultural shift for the Kuomboka ceremony, signalling a firm commitment by the Barotse Royal Establishment to wildlife conservation. The once celebrated tradition of adorning real wild cat skins has now given way to ethically crafted alternatives that retain the symbolic essence of power, dignity and royal protection, without contributing to the decline of endangered species. 

Imasiku Mwabu, a community engagement officer for Panthera, attended this year’s Kuomboka ceremony and was moved by what he witnessed. “It was truly amazing to see majority the paddlers proudly wearing the synthetic Heritage Fur,” he said. “They have fully embraced it since the donation was made and it’s now become part of the ceremony’s identity.”

Mr. Mwabu noted that the availability of the synthetic garment has made it much easier for paddlers to access what was once a rare and controversial item. “This innovation has made a big difference,” he explained. “Not only does it help preserve our wildlife by reducing the demand for real animal skins, but it also supports tourism, one of the key sources of employment and revenue for the country.”

He praised the initiative as a powerful example of how tradition and conservation can coexist. “By wearing these Heritage Furs, the paddlers are not just honouring our culture, they’re also playing a role in protecting Zambia’s natural heritage for future generations.”

Induna Luyanga, who is also part of the Barotse Royal Establishment, confirmed that the adoption of the heritage furs has received full support from the Litunga and the establishment. “The Litunga himself has embraced this change, recognising it as a vital step toward protecting our wildlife without compromising the dignity and meaning of the Kuomboka ceremony,” he said.

Despite this endorsement from the highest traditional authority, Induna Luyanga acknowledged that not everyone in the community has fully welcomed the shift. Some individuals remain hesitant, still holding onto the belief that authentic animal skins are essential to maintaining the ceremony’s cultural integrity.

“It’s important to give people space to adapt and adjust, he said. What matters most is that the ceremony remains intact, its values, its spirit and its purpose are not diminished by what we wear. The Heritage Fur still represents strength, protection and tradition just without harming the animals that symbolise those same qualities.”

Panthera’s Furs for Life initiative stands as a powerful example of how conservation efforts can honour cultural traditions while protecting endangered species.  By producing high quality synthetic Heritage Furs and distributing them to traditional leaders, Panthera has not only reduced the demand for real wild cat skins but also fostered a deeper sense of environmental stewardship among communities that have long held these garments as symbols of pride and authority. The initiative respects and preserves cultural identity while addressing the urgent need to safeguard Africa’s dwindling wild cat populations. Its success emphasises the importance of collaboration between conservationists, traditional authorities, and local communities in crafting sustainable solutions. As the Furs for Life program expands its reach, it offers a compelling model for integrating cultural values into the heart of conservation, ensuring that both heritage and biodiversity are protected for generations to come.

Womba, a journalist based in Kitwe, is a fellow in the Wildlife Crime Prevention’s (WCP) Environmental Crimes Journalism fellowship. The MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with WCP, offers training in investigative journalism and supports journalists in producing impactful stories that promote environmental protection and drive change.