adminSusan Nyabunze Herald Reporter
Government has called for designers to come up with a new regalia for chiefs to replace the regalia inherited from the colonial era which has been described as imperialistic. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing said there was need to design a chiefs’ regalia which was relevant to the Zimbabwean context.
“The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing is seeking expressions of interest from suitable designers to submit proposals to undertake the designing of the chiefs’ regalia,” said the ministry.
“The current regalia was inherited from the colonial regime and was designed to celebrate and venerate their own imperialistic values.”
The ministry said the current regalia did not reflect the true image of Zimbabwean values and tradition.
“The regalia is outdated and detached from our history, culture and traditions,” said the ministry.
“It is, therefore, imperative to customise the chiefs’ regalia so that our history, ethos, values and aspirations as a people.”
The regalia for chiefs constitutes of a red and purple gown, white helmet, half moon breast-plate, name badge and walking stick. Purple and red colour on the gown symbolise royalty and judicial powers and the white helmet with the coat of arms denotes the dignity and authority of the office of the chief.
Online Reporter