ZAMBIA - History
& Culture
HISTORY:
Much of Zambia’s history has been influenced by its central location in the region. This has resulted in the country frequently being affected by events beyond its borders.
Among the earliest visitors were slave traders exploring from their commercial centres on the east coast of the continent, although the country had simultaneously become the territory of the Maravi people who had migrated from the Congo area during the 14th century.
By the 18th century, the country had been visited by Portuguese explorers who followed the routes of the slave traders. But the early 19th century was a key period as the expansion of the Zulu empire displaced many cultures, most of whom found their way north to escape the tribal conflicts to the south. The mid-19th century also saw the arrival of David Livingstone, which resulted in many other missionaries, explorers and adventurers following the routes he had mapped out.
Livingstone’s reports drew the interest of the British government, who created the British South Africa Company (BSAC) to strengthen their hold on the region in the face of continued Portuguese involvement. The company took control of Zambia (then known as Northern Rhodesia) in 1911 with the discovery of vast reserves of copper in the northern regions. This resource was not, however, fully exploited until the company passed control on to the British government in 1924.
Until gaining independence in 1964, the country remained under British colonial rule, as a valued possession for mining and minerals. Since then, the country has been run until 1991 as a one-party state under president Kaunda’s United National Independence Party (UNIP), with an active involvement in supporting liberation struggles in neighbouring Zimbabwe and South Africa. The 1991 elections finally removed power from the ruling party and began the present period of democratic government under president Chiluba’s Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD).
CULTURE:
There are seven major ethnic groups within the country, comprising 25 distinct tribes with their own traditional rituals and some 73 language dialects. Zambia's contemporary culture is a blend of values, norms, material and spiritual traditions.
Most of the inhabitants of Zambia are African, Bantu in origin, with Asians and Europeans comprising the minor communities. The African population contains a large diversity of tribes, speaking 73 dialects in all, with the Tonga, Lozi, Bemba and Ngoni being the four most prominent language groups. The European population live and work mostly in the urban areas, or on the farmlands close to the railway line, while a high percentage of the Asian community is to be found on the Copper belt and other urban centres.
Each tribe is rich in history and culture, possessing their own unique characteristics that have kept the tribes individualistic throughout the centuries of time. Tribal "cousin-ship"--harmless stereotypical intertribal rivalry makes up a good portion of the Zambian humour... The Zambian people are very gentle and extremely hospitable.
During the colonial period, the process of industrialization and urbanization saw ethnically different people brought together by economic interests, this as well as the very definite influence of western standards, generated a new culture without conscious effort of politically determined guidelines. Many of the rural inhabitants however, have retained their indigenous and traditional customs and values. After Independence in 1964, the government recognized the role culture was to play in the overall development of a new nation and began to explore the question of a National Identity. As a result, Private and Public museums and cultural villages were established to promote the expression of artistic talents.
CUSTOMS:
Tribal customs are only practiced in the rural areas as the urbanized youth aspire to Western behaviour. A greeting is always exchanged before any conversation. If a person approaches you, you should always offer the first greeting. A man should withhold his hand in greeting until the woman offers hers. Gifts are often offered to a visitor as a sign of honour, friendship or gratitude. One should never refuse a gift and accept it with both hands at the same time expressing thanks.
"Lobola" the bride price is still widely practiced and is a token of appreciation to the parents of the girl. In most tribes, the bride is taken to the man's village the evening before the wedding. Large quantities of food are prepared and home-made beer is brewed to celebrate the marriage. The whole village attends and much singing, dancing and drumming takes place.
MUSIC & DANCE:
Dance is an important part of musical expression among Zambians and along with the ideas they express, have served as reflectors of life and thought over the centuries. Many traditional instruments are still played throughout the country, although the desire for western instruments continues to increase. The most common traditional instrument of course is the drum and drumming plays an important part of rituals, ceremonies, celebrations and community communication.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Zambia's diverse cultures bring with them a wide variety of traditional skills. Crafts can be found in great variety if not in abundance and among them is some of the finest basketry in Africa. The economy of most of the crafts people is based on fishing, cattle or the cultivation of crops. Craft work is often done seasonally to supplement the income of many families. It was originally intended for barter and made according to the needs of other villagers. To many, especially the subsistence farmers, craft work is their only means of earning cash.
Organizations such as Zintu Handicrafts in Lusaka, the Nayuma Museum in Mongu, the Tonga Museum in Choma and the Moto Moto Museum in Mbala, aim to stimulate the production of quality craft work both in traditional forms and where craft work is a contemporary expression of art.
TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES:
There are more than 20 annual traditional ceremonies in Zambia, manifesting customs, social life, rituals, oral history, material and spiritual culture. They provide a valuable insight to a traditional culture that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Most ceremonies have a deep meaning, in many cases designed to invoke memories of the transformation from childhood to adulthood. Most tribes in rural areas still practice harmless initiation ceremonies for girls that are generally conducted after puberty. Only a few tribes still practice male circumcision initiation ceremonies and those that occur happen in total secrecy.
The open ceremonies that visitors can watch are those that signify ancient times, when new kingdoms were being founded by ancient chiefs and are usually splendid, colourful affairs with much symbolism in their dancing and drumming.
CEREMONIES & FESTIVALS IN ZAMBIA:
THE N'CWALA:
(February) This is a religious thanksgiving ceremony by the Ngoni people and takes place in Mutenguleni Village in the Eastern Province. The first produce of the year is tested by the chief,and this in turn, marked by tribal dancing and much traditional beer drinking.
THE KU'OMBOKA:
(Feb/March) The word ''Ku'omboka means 'to get out of the water onto dry ground'. This spectancular annual event, led by the chief, is where the lozi people leave their homes for higher ground as the rains flood the upper Zambezi Valley. In ceremonial dress, they move to their new homes, where they remain until the waters have receded,and then dance and sing the night away.
LIKUMBI LYAMIZE:
(July) The Luvale people of Zambezi District, North Western Province, come together to celebrate their cultural heritage at Mize, the official palace of senior chief,Ndungu. Displays of all types of handcrafts, dancing and singing take place during this traditional ceremony.
UMUTOMBOKO:
(July) In Zambia's Luapula Province on 29 July, Chief Kazembe celebrates an ancestral war dance in an arena by the Ng'ona River. This two-day ceremony is mixed with ritual,semi-mystic performances, pounding drums and long speeches all perfomed by players in brightly coloured cotton skirts and headdresses.
SHIMUNENGA:
(September/October) Held by the Ba Illa people on the weekend of the full moon, this traditional ceremony is an expression of their devotion to their ancestors. It occurs on the Kafue Flats at Maala.
| SOME
USEFUL WORDS |
| English |
Bemba |
Nyanja |
| Hello |
Shani |
Bwanji |
| Goodbye |
Shalapo |
Pitani Bwino |
| How are you? |
Uli Shani? |
Muli Bwanji? |
| I am fine! |
Ndi Bwino |
Ndili Bwino |
| Thank you |
Natotela |
Dzikomo |
| very much |
sana |
kwambili |
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