THE Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (MOCTA) was created in September, 2011 by the late 5th Republican President, His Excellence, Mr. Micheal Chilufya Sata, after recognizing the important role that chiefs play in matters of national development.

The Government Gazzette Notice No. 836 of 2016 on Statutory Functions and Composition of Government Portfolios assigns MoCTA with the responsibility to formulate policy and implement programmes on Administration of Chiefs’ Affairs, Folklore and Preservation of Oral Traditions, Indigenous Knowledge, Promotion of Traditional Crafts, Registration of Villages, Research in Culture, and Traditional ceremonies.