Lusaka — Creative platform Kuchalo has invited Zambian artists to submit original songs or poems that celebrate the country’s rich cultural heritage, in a competition that will culminate in cash prizes later this month.
In a call issued this week, Kuchalo encouraged musicians and poets to create works highlighting Zambian culture and to submit their entries by 14 February 2026.
Participants are required to present their work in a 16:9 landscape video format and submit it via email to info@kuchalo.com.
Organisers have stressed that the competition is strictly for original human creativity, noting that AI-generated work will not be considered.
Entrants are also encouraged to share their music or poetry on social media using the hashtag #KuchaloWorld to help promote the initiative and reach wider audiences.
The competition offers cash prizes, with K2,500 awarded to the first-place winner, K1,500 for second place and K1,000 for third place.
The theme of the submissions focuses on works that highlight Zambian culture, giving artists an opportunity to explore local traditions, languages, music, stories and everyday experiences through poetry and song.
This marks the third time Kuchalo has organised a competition or creative initiative aimed at promoting the arts in Zambia.
The organisation recently ran a poetry competition and also co- sponsored a creative workshop titled “Sensing the Self with Analogy” at the Henry Tayali Centre in Lusaka, drawing interest from emerging and established artists.
By continuing to create platforms for creative expression, Kuchalo operations coordinator Julie Lwenje says it hopes to nurture local talent, encourage cultural storytelling and strengthen appreciation for Zambian arts.
The latest competition adds to growing efforts within the creative sector to spotlight home-grown voices and provide tangible support to artists through exposure and financial rewards.
