Fallen Hehe chief laid to rest

 

Newly installed Hehe tribal chief, Adam-II (14), sits next to President Jakaya Kikwete during the burial ceremony of his father, Chief Abdul Sapi Mkwawa, in Iringa yesterday. The new chief, has to wait until when he turns 20 to be officially handed over and execute the powers vested on him. PHOTO | STATE HOUSE 

By By Geofrey Nyang’oro and Hakimu Mwafongo The Citizen Correspondents

Posted  Tuesday, February 17  2015 at  09:13

In Summary

Hehe elders said at the ceremony that it was necessary for the youngster to wait until when he turns 20 to be handed over the powers vested on him.

Iringa. President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday led hundreds of mourners in Iringa Municipality and its suburbs in the burial ceremony of the Hehe tribal chief, Alhaj Abdul Sapi Mkwawa.

The Hehe leader, who died on Saturday, was buried yesterday within Kalenga Museum premises.

The burial ceremony went in line with installation of his successor, Chief Adam II, who is his first born son.

However, the 14-year-old new chief, was not officially handed his powers due to his young age. His authorities were instead handed over to his uncle, Hassan Adam Sapi, who will have to hand the authorities to the youngster as soon as he turns 20.

According to Hehe tribal rituals, the first born boy is the one required to take over the position of his father upon dying and he will have to wait until he attains the age of 20 years to start discharging responsibilities vested on him.

Hehe elders said at the ceremony that it was necessary for the youngster to wait until when he turns 20 to be handed over the powers vested on him.

The fallen chief was born in 1949 and attained his primary and middle school education at Tosamaganga before he attended his secondary education at Iyunga Secondary School in Mbeya.

It was further explained that he joined the then Mkwawa High School for his Advanced Level education before he went for his university education where he studied business administration between 1971 and 1973.

He worked with Tanzania Elimu Supplies between 1977 and 1993, Tanzania Southern Highlands Tobacco Growers in 1993. The fallen Hehe chief was an employee of the Iringa-based Afrika Spring Water Company.