Kuomboka Ceremony in Western Province

CEO Diaries by Nic Mudaly: My trip to Western Province.

Taking its name from the Lozi word ‘Kuomboka’, which means ‘to get out of water’ and escape the Barotse flood plains. The ceremony marks the movement of the Litunga, King of the Lozi people, from the palace in the flood plains to the palace on the higher land, carried in a wonderful display of strength in 2 huge canoes paddled by 50 oarsmen.

The ritual dates back to over 300 years ago and is a celebrated cultural event welcoming visitors from far and wide!

I took the opportunity as part of my speaking engagement to announce BCP (BioCarbon Partners)’s largest REDD+ project to date, the Kafue-Zambezi Community Forests Project. Where, in Western Province, the project is being implemented together with Peace Parks Foundation and the Barotse Royal Establishment.

What we aim to do here, together, will be of such substantial impact and greatness.

Phase 1 alone is expected to be potentially 2m ha. Our projections from this are; that over 200,000 people will benefit from carbon revenue, the creation of more than 1000 indirect job opportunities, and the potential reduction of 50 million tons of emissions over the project life!

An initiative that will do a TON of good for climate, community, and biodiversity.

This only marks the start of our journey together! As we embark on a tale of resilience and unity that will preserve nature and accelerate economic growth in each of the Chiefdoms we are working with.