Chief Mola, born Champion Rare, said the rites will be held in October after traditional leaders received the go-ahead from government officials.
The ceremony follows the 11 August 2026 disaster in which the RIDA-operated ferry Mbuya Nehanda capsized while travelling from Kariba to Chalala.
The vessel was reportedly carrying about 180 passengers and goods, double its capacity of 90, when it was struck by strong waves near Long Island.
At least 97 people died, including 18 children, in what is now regarded as Zimbabwe’s deadliest transport disaster.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a State of Disaster, and the government launched a formal inquest.
Chief Mola said traditional leaders believe the lake must be cleansed and the spirits appeased after the loss of life.
“The traditional beer for the ceremony is being brewed. We are engaging the District Development Coordinator’s office to ensure that on that day there will be no boats on the lake so that the process can be conducted peacefully and without lights on the lake,” he said.
He will lead the rites together with Chief Nebiri, whom he described as his nephew, assisted by other Kariba chiefs.
The appeasement will start at Chalala, at the sacred site of Siamavu overlooking Lake Kariba, before moving to Kariba town for an all-night ceremony until the following morning.
The disaster has severely affected lakeside communities. Fishing camps and remote villages along the Kariba-Chalala route, which relied on the ferry as their main means of transport for goods, food supplies and access to Kariba town and Harare, have been cut off.
Fishermen, cross-border traders and small businesses in Kariba that depended on the movement of people and supplies have suffered major losses, while tourism and boat operations were disrupted during the prolonged search and recovery.
As a result, the launch of a new passenger service linking Kariba town with remote fishing communities and island villages across the lake has been delayed.
The service, operated by Silverstone Ferry and owned by Most High Ferries, was set to improve transport across the lake but will now only commence after the cultural rites have been completed