KAZEMBE LUNDA ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT ORDERS GREEN BUFFALOES TO IMMEDIATELY STOP USING MWATA KAZEMBE’S ROYAL REGALIA
The Kazembe Lunda Royal Establishment has ordered the Green Buffaloes Cultural Club to immediately stop using attire resembling the sacred royal regalia of His Royal Highness Mwata Kazembe, describing the practice as an unauthorised use of exclusive royal symbols and a violation of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Royal Establishment said the directive follows a video posted on the Green Buffaloes Cultural Club’s Facebook page on June 18, 2026, showing members performing in attire closely resembling the distinctive blue, white and red regalia reserved exclusively for the Mwata Kazembe Royal House. According to the Establishment, the video caused widespread concern among the Kazembe Lunda people and was viewed as a serious breach of cultural boundaries and traditional authority.
The Royal Establishment stressed that the royal blue, white and red colours, as well as the blue and white combination, are not ordinary traditional attire but sacred royal regalia with deep cultural, historical and spiritual significance. It said the colours and designs are unique identifiers of the authority and institution of Mwata Kazembe and may only be worn by members of the Royal House or individuals expressly authorised to do so.
Spokesperson of the Kazembe Lunda Royal Establishment and Senior Headman of Tokatoka Village, David Chifwele Toka, said the use of the royal regalia without the knowledge, consultation or permission of the Royal Establishment is deeply disrespectful to Mwata Kazembe, the Royal House and the entire Kazembe Kingdom.
The Royal Establishment has directed the Green Buffaloes Cultural Club and any other cultural groups using the royal regalia to immediately discontinue the practice, remove the distinctive blue, white and red colour arrangement from all future performances and public events, and ensure that proper consultations are undertaken before representing Kazembe Lunda cultural heritage.
It further warned that the unauthorised use of royal symbols creates public confusion by falsely suggesting an official association with the Mwata Kazembe Royal House, thereby diminishing the exclusivity and reverence attached to the Kingdom’s sacred symbols. The Establishment added that, under Kazembe Lunda tradition, the unauthorised use of royal regalia or royal colours constitutes a serious offence that may attract substantial penalties and fines as determined by the Traditional Councillors.
While reaffirming its support for cultural appreciation and the celebration of Zambia’s diverse traditions, the Royal Establishment maintained that such appreciation must respect established cultural boundaries. It noted that while members of the public are free to wear the traditional Lunda waist cloth known as umusando, the royal regalia of Mwata Kazembe remains the exclusive preserve of the Royal House.
The Royal Establishment has appealed to the public, national institutions and cultural performance troupes to respect the directive and help preserve the dignity of Mwata Kazembe, the Kazembe Kingdom and the cultural heritage of the Lunda people.