Zulu Nguni sub-clan escaping prosecution by the legendary Zulu King Shaka fled Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa in the south, crossed at the confluence of the Zambezi and Luangwa rivers.

During the crossing in November 1835 scores of Ngoni women, children and elders drowned while others were eaten by crocodiles, according to the history books.

Folklore has it that when the last of the clans reached the Zambian side of the river, the sun suddenly became black as a result of the moon’s shadow.  This was the solar eclipse of that year.

The Ngoni believed that the event signalled the anger of the gods over Ngoni-led massacres of tribes along their journey to find a homeland in the north.

The Ngoni have now settled in the Eastern Provice of Zambia and continue to maintain their  rich cultural heritage.

The Nc'wale Traditional Ceremony is held in February each year and celebrates the first harvests of the year.