Chota – William Vunda
Contributions to This Site
for higher quality audio, check upcoming ILAM PROJECT;
for higher quality video, download from “Videos of Luvale (and Related) Sonic Culture” link
—William Vunda was born on October 20, 1970 in Lusaka, Zambia to a Luvale father and a Lunda mother. Though he began his primary education in Lusaka, he went through mukanda (traditional male initiation school) in Kabompo. From an early age, Vunda was very interested in the arts and participated in his school dance group. During his time in Lusaka, his school group studied and performed traditional dances from many of the ethnolinguistic groups located in Zambia. This was the beginning of William’s pan-Zambian musical training. Upon the passing of his father, Vunda moved to Kabompo with his mother to continue his primary education. In this northwestern town, his new school group now focused on dances of the region’s tribes (Chokwe, Luchazi, Luvale, Mbunda). He completed his formal education after form 3 at which time he fully shifted his attention to the arts.
—In 1995, Vunda moved back to Lusaka where he was soon recruited by his aunt (Josephine Sombo Muzala Chipango) to join the Likumbi Lya Mize Chibolya culture group. He was one of the first and most active members of this important cultural institution. The National Troupe discovered Vunda during his tenure with the Chibolya group and recruited him to join in 1999. Vunda danced, sang, and drummed with the National Troupe in Lusaka until 2001 at which point they relocated to Livingstone. He stayed with the troupe in Livingstone until 2003. His career with the National Troupe gave Vunda two invaluable opportunities: (1) experience studying the dances of other tribes at a high level and (2) experience teaching his cultural dances to others. Feeling stagnant both in Livingstone and with the government group, Vunda returned to Lusaka and formed his own group in 2005: Chota Culture Group.
—William Vunda started Chota to realize his artistic vision, spread Luvale culture, and provide employment opportunities for artistic (mostly Luvale) youth. Though Chinyama Kelvin Tokha (recipient of the 2023 Ngoma Award for Most Outstanding Traditional Instrumentalist) has been Vunda’s right hand man for some time, Chota boasts a revolving door of drummers and dancers. Using the reputation he gained through his work with the National Troupe and Likumbi Lya Mize Chibolya, Vunda is able to recruit talented performers from Zambezi, Chavuma, and Lukulu. Recruited members live together in Kabwata Cultural Village where Chota has recently become the resident troupe. William Vunda did not just form a group, he also houses members and maintains a community. Reflecting Vunda’s musical experience, Chota is versed not only in the larger Luvale repertoire but also in many of the other dances of Zambia’s peoples.
—Chota performs at Luvale functions (such as festivals and their fundraising events), government functions, corporate events, and kitchen parties. Many of these non-ritual settings call for music outside of the Luvale repertoire. Vunda is proud of his group’s professionalism and has a reputation of running a tight ship. Despite his serious managerial style, Vunda keeps performances and rehearsals full of laughter and joy. He has recently received certificates of recognition from the Likumbi Lya Mize Cultural Association for his dedication to Luvale culture. Though he is skilled in all aspects of culture, Vunda is renown for his superb singing and songwriting abilities. For these reasons he was a nominee for the 2023 Ngoma Awards Most Outstanding Vocalist.
—Chota is registered with both the National Arts Council and Likumbi Lya Mize Cultural Association. If you would like to book or help support Chota, please contact Jason Winikoff using the button in the footer of this page or through the contact page.