Phalombe Villagers Obsessed with Food at Funeral Ceremonies
Two months after the Chiefs Council in Phalombe ordered village heads not to force bereaved families to prepare food at funeral ceremonies, Zodiak has learnt that poor families continue to cook food at such events, despite a hunger crisis in the district.
Vice chairperson for the council Traditional Authority Kaledzera told Zodiak Online on Monday that they will meet soon to find ways of reversing the trend.
T/A Kaledzera said, "Some bereaved families claim distant relations bring food when death occurs as such it is hard to stop them from preparing food."
He added that the council will meet on Saturday to map way forward on the matter as the trend continues to affect families that are struggling to make ends meet.
Social commentator Ceaser Kondowe has urged chiefs to sensitive their subjects to stop the tendency as it is a burden to bereaved families.
The Chiefs Council ordered group and village heads not to force bereaved families to prepare food at funeral ceremonies, except for officiating church leaders and grave diggers.
On March 23, 2024, president Lazarus Chakwera declared Malawi a state of emergency in 23 out 28 districts of the country due to El -Nino induced drought.
