DOCSLIB.ORG

Zambian Culture with Myths and Taboos Final.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Zambian Culture with Myths and Taboos Final.Pdf ZAMBIAN CULTURE: HARNESSING CULTURAL LITERACY WITH A FOCUS ON SELECTED MYTHS AND TABOOS Second Edition, 2019. by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire, Steriah M. Simooya and Pauline Namakau Monde Published by UNZA Press, Lusaka-Zambia i |Zambian Culture: Harnessing Cultural Literacy with a Focus on Selected Myths and Taboos, by Mkandawire, S. B. et al., 2019. © 2019, Mkandawire, Simooya and Monde Published by UNZA Press for and on behalf of Sitwe Benson Mkandawire, Steriah M. Simooya and Pauline Namakau Monde Email: [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] ISBN: 978-9982-03-105-9 CONTENTS Page Dedication................................................................................ v Acknowledgement................................................................... vi Foreword.................................................................................. vii Preface...................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Context of Cultural Literacy ............................ 1 Definition of Culture ........................................................ 1 Importance of Culture...................................................... 2 Understanding Literacy.................................................... 4 Cultural Literacy ............................................................. 5 Zambian Culture versus Zambian Cultures..................... 7 Ethnicity, Multilingualism and Multiculturalism............. 14 Ceremonies and Rituals in Zambia ................................. 26 The Importance of Traditional Ceremonies in Safeguarding and Preserving Culture in Zambia ................................. 28 The Role of Culture in Development .............................. 40 Zambian Cultural Identity ............................................... 44 The Importance of Culture in Education ........................ 45 Chapter 2: Aspects of Zambian Culture and Cultures .... 48 Aspects of Zambian Culture............................................ 49 National Symbols .......................................................... 49 Food ............................................................................... 49 Dressing ......................................................................... 50 Living in Extended family ............................................. 52 Celebrations and Solidarity ............................................ 52 Sports and Games .......................................................... 52 Art and Entertainment ................................................... 53 Drinking and Clubing .................................................... 53 Agriculture ..................................................................... 54 Communication .............................................................. 54 Traditional Communication ........................................... 54 Modern Communication ................................................ 61 Conservation and Cultural Heritage Sites ...................... 62 Customs and Traditions .................................................. 63 iii |Zambian Culture: Harnessing Cultural Literacy with a Focus on Selected Myths and Taboos, by Mkandawire, S. B. et al., 2019. Marriage ...................................................................... 64 Finding a Marriage Partiner in Zambia ....................... 66 Ways of Marrying in Zambia .................................... 67 Expression of Marriage Intention to a Lady’s Family . 70 marriage Charges ......................................................... 73 Food Orientation .......................................................... 74 Marriage Ceremony .................................................... 74 Common Marriage ceremony Procedure ..................... 75 Child Marriages and Legal Position ............................ 75 Marriage and Life long Learning ................................. 78 Spirituality and Religiosity .......................................... 79 Aspects of Zambian Cultures........................................ 83 Traditional Marriage Processes in Selected Cases ....... 85 (i) The Lunda Marriage Process ........................... 85 (ii) The Ngoni Marriage Process .......................... 88 (iii) The Lozi Marriage Process ............................ 91 (iv) The Tonga Marriage Marriage Process .......... 96 (v) The Bemba Marriage Process ......................... 98 Chapter 3: Myths................................................................... 110 What is a Myth?............................................................... 110 The Social Status of Myths ............................................. 110 A List of Selected Myths with their Interpretations ........ 111 Chapter 4: Taboos................................................................... 166 What is a Taboo?.......................................................... 166 The Social Status of Taboos ........................................ 166 A List of Selected Taboos with their Interpretations ... 166 Why myths and taboos vary across regions ................. 176 Chapter 5: Cultural Laws in Zambia ................................. 178 Legal Position of Culture in Zambia............................... 178 Some International Organisations on Culture ................ 180 References................................................................................ 181 Glossary .................................................................................. 192 Index ....................................................................................... 203 iv |Zambian Culture: Harnessing Cultural Literacy with a Focus on Selected Myths and Taboos, by Mkandawire, S. B. et al., 2019. Dedication This book is dedicated to the culturalists and fanatics of culture Acknowledgements Sincere gratitude to all respondents that took part in the study that culminated into this book. The valuable information that you provided on culture, myths and taboos from all provinces of Zambia helped in reshaping this book. Our sincere gratitude to some University of Zambia lecturers, students, and researchers. We also acknowledge some elderly relatives to the authors and senior citizens of Zambia vested with wisdom and knowledge of traditions that served as informants for some parts of this book. Special gratitude to the following people for providing some information on marriage processes per ethnic group: Kasonde Mundende, Patrick Sikayomya, Zebron Tembo, Chilambe Patience, Chishala K. Getrude, Kalubale Makumo, Mbaka Elizabeth, Nox Zimba, Mhlanga Angel and Tepula Fredrick. vi |Zambian Culture: Harnessing Cultural Literacy with a Focus on Selected Myths and Taboos, by Mkandawire, S. B. et al., 2019. vi Foreword This book, ‘Zambian Culture: Harnessing Cultural Literacy with a focus on selected Myths and Taboos in Zambia’ is a unique text depicting the Zambian culture in general. The book starts with a discussion on culture, its significance in society and further situates the concept of cultural literacy and discusses the differences between Zambian culture and Zambian cultures at different levels with the use of relevant examples. What is more peculiar about this book is its effort in contextualising the composition of Zambian culture. The authors outlined the constituent of Zambian culture ranging from national symbols to the general lifestyle of Zambians. The authors further outlined six unique ways of marrying in Zambia, which could be familiar even to some neighbouring countries that share a similar culture with Zambia. The book focuses on selected myths and taboos where each myth and /or taboo, has been outlined, followed by their application and a possible interpretation in modern society. vii |Zambian Culture: Harnessing Cultural Literacy with a Focus on Selected Myths and Taboos, by Mkandawire, S. B. et al., 2019. Preface I am very delighted to provide this preface, made towards “Positioning Culture as a bedrock for national development planning in Zambia” (GRZ, (2017) ‘7th National Development Plan 2017-2021’, page 30). My remarks gladly re-project the late Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe’s words in a paraphrased and direct manner when he introduced (GRZ, 1970) ‘The Treasures of Zambian Traditional Art, National Museums of Zambia, Lusaka’. This booklet contains valuable cultural aspects including myths and taboos selected from across Zambia. This represents but a small part of our total stock of myths and taboos. These valuable collections signal what is possible when dedicated people resolve to sustain our Zambian cultural heritage. Must modernity kill Zambian culture? No, our modernity should concentrate on stopping the growing of aimlessness and emptiness in our Society; and one way of doing this is through drawing up schemes and programmes of cultural research and building the discoveries like those in this book, into an important beacon of knowledge for the present generation and those who will come after us. I am positively sure that discoveries of our history and culture will stregthen our intention to recapture our heritage and thereby project our identity in the international society. Some people have openly said that history is a dead subject and culture is nothing but primitive relics; I say lucky are those who can distinguish gold from ordinary stones. History is people’s memory that help them reflect on the past, understand the present and project the future. Without historical memory, man is demoted viii |Zambian Culture: Harnessing Cultural
Load more

Recommended publications
  • From Chinamwali to Chilangizo: the Christianisation of Pre-Christian Chewa Initiation Rites in the Baptist Convention of Malawi
    FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO: THE CHRISTIANISATION OF PRE-CHRISTIAN CHEWA INITIATION RITES IN THE BAPTIST CONVENTION OF MALAWI Molly Longwe 5th September 2003 A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Theology in African Christianity at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Declaration I hereby declare that with the exception ofthe sources specifically acknowledged in the text, this dissertation is my original work. It has not been submitted to any other Univer- sity. (Molly Longwe) Supervisor's Agreement As supervisors, we have agreed to the submission ofthis thesis. Dr. Allison Howell z.,3 #~ -W-?en.:> Date: --------e-r 111 ABSTRACT This dissertation critically reviews chilangizo in the Baptist Convention of Malawi (BACOMA) and assesses its impact on Chewa society. Christian History has shown that the Christian attitude towards traditional customs and practices surrounding life cycle rituals has ranged from negative and hostile to positive and acceptance, resulting in of­ fering alternative 'Christian' rituals. The issue of chilangizo and chinamwali have been a real pastoral and missiological problem to the Baptist Convention churches because of the churches' failure to understand the meaning ofthe traditional rites in the light ofthe mother tongue Scriptures. This study aims at guiding the Church in Malawi and in Af­ rica to engage with more openness with the cultural issues. This should assist BACOMA to thoroughly understand this cultural phenomenon and the meanings asso­ ciated with all aspects of the rites. Studying the Scriptures to understand how they re­ interpret chinamwali and its associated meanings should lead BACOMA churches into an interactive process of discussion, reflection, teaching and action.
    [Show full text]
  • Tumbuka, Malawi, Bantu
    1. Description 1.1 Name(s) of society, language, and language family: Tumbuka, Malawi, Bantu 1.2 ISO code (3 letter code from ethnologue.com): N21 1.3 Location (latitude/longitude): (-11.20/33.10) 1.4 Brief history: past is hid in the mists of prehistoric times, no one in the tribe is able to go back more than three generations and describe even inaccurately the condition of the people. But they must have been a great tribe once, it is evident from their wide distribution and from the customs common to them. (113 Winning a Primitive People) Last century the Tumbuka tribe was distributed from latitude 14 degrees south to 11 degrees, and between longitudes 32 degrees and 34 degrees. Area of about 20000 square miles. In the South they are now called Chewa, many new settlers came and joined the group thus slightly changing the language. Tumbuka natives escaped successfully from Ngoni natives when they invaded. The first groups of people to interrupt into the area of the Tumbuka were the Mlowoka's. This was a group of people who came from the east coast of the Indian Ocean and were looking for Ivory trade which was abundant in the area. They crossed Lake Malawi on dhows resulting in their nickname 'BaLowoka', meaning those who crossed the lake whilst their leader was named Mlowoka, the one who crossed the lake. This was around the second half of the 18th century. The Mlowoka's established themselves peacefully among the Tumbuka and later their leader intermarried with the local inhabitants.
    [Show full text]
  • Chiefs, Policing, and Vigilantes: “Cleaning Up” the Caprivi Borderland of Namibia
    BUUR_Ch03.qxd 31/5/07 8:48 PM Page 79 CHAPTER 3 Chiefs, Policing, and Vigilantes: “Cleaning Up” the Caprivi Borderland of Namibia Wolfgang Zeller Introduction Scholars examining practices of territorial control and administrative action in sub-Saharan Africa have in recent years drawn attention to the analytical problems of locating their proponents unambiguously within or outside the realm of the state (Lund 2001; Englebert 2002; Nugent 2002; Chabal and Daloz 1999; Bayart et al. 1999). This chapter analyzes situations in which state practices intersect with non- state practices in the sense of the state- (and donor-)sponsored out- sourcing of policing functions to chiefs and vigilantes, where chiefs act as lower-tier representatives of state authority. My point of departure is an administrative reform introduced by the Namibian Minister of Home Affairs, Jerry Ekandjo, in August 2002, which took place in the town Bukalo in Namibia’s northeastern Caprivi Region. Bukalo is the residence of the chief of the Subiya people and his khuta (Silozi, council of chiefs and advisors).1 Before an audience of several hundred Subiya and their indunas (Silozi, chief or headman), the minister announced two aspects of the reform that had consequences for policing the border with Zambia. First, Namibian men from the border area were to be trained and deployed to patrol the border as “police reservists,” locally referred to as “vigilantes,” Secondly, Namibian police were going to conduct a “clean-up” of the entire Caprivi Region, during which all citizens of BUUR_Ch03.qxd 31/5/07 8:48 PM Page 80 80 WOLFGANG ZELLER Zambia living and working permanently or part-time in Caprivi without legal documents would be rounded up, arrested, and deported back to Zambia.
    [Show full text]
  • DR Congo and Other People with Good Understanding of the Proverbs and Wise Sayings
    A COLLECTION OF 100 TAABWA (D R CONGO) PROVERBS AND WISE SAYINGS By ETOKA MALISAWA PETER African Proverbs Working Group Nairobi, Kenya MAY 2017 DEDICATION I dedicate this work to almighty God the source of my life, my strength and inspiration. I also appreciate the moral contribution of my lovely family and all members of Taabwa ethnic group wherever they are. ACKNOWLODGEMENT I want to address strongly my acknowledgement to Mr. Dunia Freza for his contribution on collection of these Taabwa Proverbs. I would like too to address my sincere acknowledgement to the entire staff of African Proverbs Working Group, Fr. J Healey, Cephas and Margaret ireri for considered my proposal and particularly to Mr. Elias Bushiri Elie for guided me in a smart way in this work from the beginning up to its end. Finally, I thank members of APWG especially Fr. Joseph Healey, Prof. Cephas Elias Bushiri one more and Margaret for their contribution in one way or another for the accomplishment of this work, May God our Lord bless every one of you. INTRODUCTION Location The Lungu people (also known as Rungu or Taabwa) are an ethnic and linguistic group living primarily on the southeastern shores of of Lake Tanganyika, on the Marungu massif in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in southwestern Tanzania and Northeastern Zambia. They speak dialects of the mambwe-Lungu language, a Bantu language closely related to that of the nearby Bemba people and Luba people. The taabwa people are Bantu with a language similar to the Bemba. The ame is spelled Tabwa in some sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Project Brief
    Public Disclosure Authorized IMPROVED RURAL CONNECTIVITY Public Disclosure Authorized PROJECT (IRCP) REHABILITATION OF PRIMARY FEEDER ROADS IN EASTERN PROVINCE Public Disclosure Authorized ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT BRIEF September 2020 SUBMITTED BY EASTCONSULT/DASAN CONSULT - JV Public Disclosure Authorized Improved Rural Connectivity Project Environmental Project Brief for the Rehabilitation of Primary Feeder Roads in Eastern Province Improved Rural Connectivity Project (IRCP) Rehabilitation of Primary Feeder Roads in Eastern Province EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Government of the Republic Zambia (GRZ) is seeking to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the management and maintenance of the of the Primary Feeder Roads (PFR) network. This is further motivated by the recognition that the road network constitutes the single largest asset owned by the Government, and a less than optimal system of the management and maintenance of that asset generally results in huge losses for the national economy. In order to ensure management and maintenance of the PFR, the government is introducing the OPRC concept. The OPRC is a concept is a contracting approach in which the service provider is paid not for ‘inputs’ but rather for the results of the work executed under the contract i.e. the service provider’s performance under the contract. The initial phase of the project, supported by the World Bank will be implementing the Improved Rural Connectivity Project (IRCP) in some selected districts of Central, Eastern, Northern, Luapula, Southern and Muchinga Provinces. The project will be implemented in Eastern Province for a period of five (5) years from 2020 to 2025 using the Output and Performance Road Contract (OPRC) approach. GRZ thus intends to roll out the OPRC on the PFR Network covering a total of 14,333Kms country-wide.
    [Show full text]
  • The Archaeology and Technology of Metal Production in the Late Iron Age of the Southern Waterberg, Limpopo Province, South Africa
    THE ARCHAEOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY OF METAL PRODUCTION IN THE LATE IRON AGE OF THE SOUTHERN WATERBERG, LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA Town Cape of UniversityFOREMAN BANDAMA Thesis Presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Archaeology UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN November 2013 The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgementTown of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Cape Published by the University ofof Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University DEDICATION To our little princess, Princess Bandama Town Cape of University i | P a g e ABSTRACT The inception of metallurgy in southern Africa was relatively late, compared to other regions in Africa, and as a result, this part of the sub-continent was mistakenly thought to have been less innovative during the Iron Age. On the contrary, dedicated materials analyses are showing that starting from the terminal first millennium AD, southern Africa is replete with innovations that include the growth of state systems, specialised long-distance trading, the re-melting of glass beads, the working of ivory, and the weaving of cotton using ceramic spindle whorls. Additionally, the appearance of gold and tin production, against a background of on-going iron and copper metallurgy, has been interpreted by some as intimating innovation in metal technology. While some research energy has been invested into these novelties, there has only been incidental concern with the innovation in tin and bronze production.
    [Show full text]
  • Technical Report: Second Order Water Scarcity in Southern Africa
    Second Order Water Scarcity in Southern Africa Technical Report: Second Order Water Scarcity in Southern Africa Prepared for: DDffIIDD Submitted February 2007 1 Second Order Water Scarcity in Southern Africa Disclaimer: “This report is an output from the Department for International Development (DfID) funded Engineering Knowledge and Research Programme (project no R8158, Second Order Water Scarcity). The views expressed are not necessarily those of DfID." Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the organisations that made this research possible. The Department for International Development (DFID) that funded the Second Order Water Scarcity in Southern Africa Research Project and the Jack Wright Trust that provided a travel award for the researcher in Zambia. A special thank you also goes to the participants in the research, the people of Zambia and South Africa, the represented organisations and groups, for their generosity in sharing their knowledge, time and experiences. Authors Introduction: Dr Julie Trottier Zambia Case Study: Paxina Chileshe Research Director – Dr Julie Trottier South Africa Case Study: Chapter 9: Dr Zoë Wilson, Eleanor Hazell with general project research assistance from Chitonge Horman, Amanda Khan, Emeka Osuigwe, Horacio Zandamela Research Director – Dr Julie Trottier Chapter 10: Dr Zoë Wilson, Horacio Zandamela with general project research assistance from Eleanor Hazell, Chitonge Horman, Amanda Khan, Emeka Osuigwe, and principal advisor, Patrick Bond Research Director – Dr Julie Trottier Chapter 11: Dr Zoë Wilson with Kea Gordon, Eleanor Hazell and Karen Peters with general project support: Chitonge Horman, Mary Galvin, Amanda Khan, Emeka Osuigwe, Horacio Zandamela Research Director – Dr Julie Trottier Chapter 12: Karen Peters, Dr J.
    [Show full text]
  • Social, Formal, and Political Determinants of Trade Under Weak Rule of Law: Experimental Evidence from Senegalese Firms
    SOCIAL,FORMAL, AND POLITICAL DETERMINANTS OF TRADE UNDER WEAK RULE OF LAW:EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FROM SENEGALESE FIRMS∗ ABHIT BHANDARIy FEBRUARY 2021 Abstract How do firms ensure secure exchange when the rule of law is weak and contracting institutions privilege the politically connected? In developing countries, firms may use social, formal, or political heuristics when selecting business partners, but how these factors jointly impact exchange remains understudied. This article develops these the- oretical mechanisms and tests their impact with a conjoint experiment administered to 2,389 formal and informal firms in Senegal. I find evidence in support of all three theories: To varying degrees, social, state, and political factors simultaneously impact firms’ sense of deal security and likelihood of exchange. The results demonstrate the substantial influence of formal predictors of exchange even in an overwhelmingly in- formal business environment, and also establish the countervailing effects of political connections on trade. These findings suggest that firms in developing countries must contend with an intricate political calculus to ensure their growth. ∗I thank Fodé Sarr and the enumeration team for excellent research assistance. I thank Christopher Blattman, Nikhar Gaikwad, Jessica Gottlieb, Macartan Humphreys, Kimuli Kasara, Robert Kubinec, John Marshall, Mohamed Saleh, Tara Slough, and seminar participants at the African Studies Association, NYU-Columbia Informal Institutions Workshop, and IAST/TSE Economic History and Political Economy Working Group for helpful comments. This project was supported by the National Science Foundation (SES-1647457 and DGE-1644869) and was approved by the Columbia Institutional Review Board (IRB-AAAQ9047). I acknowledge funding from the French National Research Agency (ANR) under the Investments for the Future program (Investissements d’Avenir, grant ANR-17-EURE-0010).
    [Show full text]
  • The Mobile Workshop
    The Mobile Workshop The Mobile Workshop The Tsetse Fly and African Knowledge Production Clapperton Chakanetsa Mavhunga The MIT Press Cambridge, Massachusetts London, England © 2018 Massachusetts Institute of Technology All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the publisher. This book was set in ITC Stone Sans Std and ITC Stone Serif Std by Toppan Best-set Premedia Limited. Printed and bound in the United States of America. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available. ISBN: 978-0-262-53502-1 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 For Mildred Maidei Contents Preface: Before We Begin … ix Introducing Mhesvi and Ruzivo Rwemhesvi 1 1 How Vanhu Managed Tsetse 29 2 Translation into Science and Policy 49 3 Knowing a Fly 67 4 How to Trap a Fly 91 5 Attacking the Fly from Within: Parasitization and Sterilization 117 6 Exposing the Fly to Its Enemies 131 7 Cordon Sanitaire: Prophylactic Settlement 153 8 Traffic Control: A Surveillance System for Unwanted Passengers 171 9 Starving the Fly 187 10 The Coming of the Organochlorine Pesticide 211 11 Bombing Flies 223 12 The Work of Ground Spraying: Incoming Machines in Vatema’s Hands 247 13 DDT, Pollution, and Gomarara: A Muted Debate 267 14 Chemoprophylactics 289 15 Unleashed: Mhesvi in a Time of War 305 Conclusion: Vatema as Intellectual Agents 317 Glossary 321 Notes 337 References 363 Index 407 Preface: Before We Begin … Preface Preface © Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyAll Rights Reserved The Mobile Workshop: The Tsetse Fly and African Knowledge Production is a project about African understandings of their surroundings.
    [Show full text]
  • The Living Heritage of Traditional Names in Postcolonial Zambia
    Osward Chanda PORTABLE INHERITANCE: THE LIVING HERITAGE OF TRADITIONAL NAMES IN POSTCOLONIAL ZAMBIA MA Thesis in Cultural Heritage Studies: Academic Research, Policy, Management. Central European University Budapest June 2020 CEU eTD Collection PORTABLE INHERITANCE: THE LIVING HERITAGE OF TRADITIONAL NAMES IN POSTCOLONIAL ZAMBIA by Osward Chanda (Zambia) Thesis submitted to the Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Arts degree in Cultural Heritage Studies: Academic Research, Policy, Management. Accepted in conformance with the standards of the CEU. ____________________________________________ Chair, Examination Committee ____________________________________________ Thesis Supervisor ____________________________________________ Examiner CEU eTD Collection ____________________________________________ Examiner Budapest June 2020 PORTABLE INHERITANCE: THE LIVING HERITAGE OF TRADITIONAL NAMES IN POSTCOLONIAL ZAMBIA by Osward Chanda (Zambia) Thesis submitted to the Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Arts degree in Cultural Heritage Studies: Academic Research, Policy, Management. Accepted in conformance with the standards of the CEU. ____________________________________________ External Reader CEU eTD Collection Budapest June 2020 PORTABLE INHERITANCE: THE LIVING HERITAGE OF TRADITIONAL NAMES IN POSTCOLONIAL ZAMBIA by Osward Chanda (Zambia) Thesis submitted
    [Show full text]
  • Encounters Between Jesuit and Protestant Missionaries in Their Approaches to Evangelization in Zambia
    chapter 4 Encounters between Jesuit and Protestant Missionaries in their Approaches to Evangelization in Zambia Choobe Maambo, s.j. Africa’s reception of Christianity and the pace at which the faith permeated the continent were incredibly slow. Although the north, especially Ethiopia and Egypt, is believed to have come under Christian influence as early as the first century, it was not until the fourth century that Christianity became more widespread in north Africa under the influence of the patristic fathers. From the time of the African church fathers up until the fifteenth century, there was no trace of the Christian church south of the Sahara. According to William Lane, s.j.: It was not until the end of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries that Christianity began to spread to the more southerly areas of Africa. The Portuguese, in their search for a sea route to India, set up bases along the East and West African coasts. Since Portugal was a Christian country, mis- sionaries followed in the wake of the traders with the aim of spreading the Gospel and setting up the Church along the African coasts.1 Prince Henry the Navigator (1394–1460) of Portugal was the man behind these expeditions, in which priests “served as chaplains to the new trading settle- ments and as missionaries to neighboring African people.”2 Hence, at the close of the sixteenth century, Christian missionary work had increased significantly south of the Sahara. In Central Africa, and more specifically in the Kingdom of Kongo, the Gospel was preached to the king and his royal family as early as 1484.
    [Show full text]
  • Zambia Briefing Packet
    ZAMBIA PROVIDING COMMUNITY HEALTH TO POPULATIONS MOST IN NEED se P RE-FIELD BRIEFING PACKET ZAMBIA 1151 Eagle Drive, Loveland, CO, 80537 | (970) 635-0110 | [email protected] | www.imrus.org ZAMBIA Country Briefing Packet Contents ABOUT THIS PACKET 3 BACKGROUND 4 EXTENDING YOUR STAY? 5 HEALTH OVERVIEW 11 OVERVIEW 14 ISSUES FACING CHILDREN IN ZAMBIA 15 Health infrastructure 15 Water supply and sanitation 16 Health status 16 NATIONAL FLAG 18 COUNTRY OVERVIEW 19 OVERVIEW 19 CLIMATE AND WEATHER 28 PEOPLE 29 GEOGRAPHy 30 RELIGION 33 POVERTY 34 CULTURE 35 SURVIVAL GUIDE 42 ETIQUETTE 42 USEFUL LOZI PHRASES 43 SAFETY 46 GOVERNMENT 47 Currency 47 CURRENT CONVERSATION RATE OF 26 MARCH, 2016 48 IMR RECOMMENDATIONS ON PERSONAL FUNDS 48 TIME IN ZAMBIA 49 EMBASSY INFORMATION 49 U.S. Embassy Lusaka 49 WEBSITES 50 !2 1151 Eagle Drive, Loveland, CO, 80537 | (970) 635-0110 | [email protected] | www.imrus.org ZAMBIA Country Briefing Packet ABOUT THIS PACKET This packet has been created to serve as a resource for the IMR Zambia Medical and Dental Team. This packet is information about the country and can be read at your leisure or on the airplane. The first section of this booklet is specific to the areas we will be working near (however, not the actual clinic locations) and contains information you may want to know before the trip. The contents herein are not for distributional purposes and are intended for the use of the team and their families. Sources of the information all come from public record and documentation. You may access any of the information and more updates directly from the World Wide Web and other public sources.
    [Show full text]