by Norah Chavula
Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi, Malawi, this year hosts the international Lake of Stars Music Festival. Its vast beach and campsite areas combined with its assortment of luxurious rooms and chalets are one of the lodge’s great guest pullers.
Apart form breathtaking views of natural scenery and landscaped surroundings associated with the renowned lodge, an aspect worth wondering about is what is behind the name “Nkopola” in the first place. I had a chat with the lodge’s General Manager, a Mr. Sylvester Ntambo who relayed an interesting account.
Apparently many years ago, about half a century past, located on the far side of the beach was a mini cave nestled amongst some rocks located at the foot of a mountain. These rocks were close to the Lake Malawi shore line and tidal waves would consequently flow over the rocks. But on days that the lake got rough, the forceful waves would surge against the rocks and embedded cave with such force that the impact produced a loud”Nkhovo!” sound.
The occurrence as witnessed by inhabitants of the surrounding land of Chipoka Village then led to the mountain being labelled “Nkhovola” Mountain in reference to the sounds the waves produced against the rocks. Over time the pronunciation of the name changed to “Nkopola” Mountain, which has been used to this day and became home to the now famous Nkopola Lodge.
Today, the mountain, is the back drop for the lodge’s campsite area and the once upon a time huge rocks have due to exposure to the evolving climate reduced in size that even the “Nkhovo!” Sounds are no longer heard. However, picture on location at the Lake of Stars Festival, the beach bars, stage performances and party crowd filled ambience with the sun’s energising rays on your back, vibrating sand at your feet. Classic combination of a tailor-made catalyst that’s bound to induce ‘’sound’’ waves that once again resurrect that “Nkhovo!” sound from the rocks - Lake of Stars style!
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