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TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES

TABLE OF CEREMONIES . . . . . . . THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA

There are more than 20 annual traditional ceremonies in Zambia, manifesting customs, social life, rituals, oral history, material and spiritual culture and if you have the opportunity to attend one, do. They provide a valuable insight to a traditional culture that has been passed down from generation to generation.

The decline of traditional customs and culture has been brought about by the infiltration of the west and western ways and the melting pot of various tribes living in the same areas. There has recently been a realisation of the value of traditions and a conscious effort is being made to preserve them

Most of the 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 which are generally conducted after puberty. They are intended to help the girls make the transition from childhood to womanhood and prepare them for marriage. 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.


TABLE OF TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Mkushi

Bisa/Swaka/Lala

Inchibwela Mushi

September

Chibombo

Lenje

Kulamba Kubwalo

October

Mumbwa

Kaonde

Musaka/Jikubi

September

Mumbwa

Kaonde/lla

Likumbi Lyamalumbe

October

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Masaiti

Lamba

Chabalankata

November

Mpongwe

Lamba

Chitentamo/Nsengele

November

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Chipata

Ngoni

N’cwala

February 

Katete

Chewa

Kulamba

August

Petauke

Nsenga

Tuwimba

October

Mambwe

Kunda

Malaila

October

Chama

Tumbuka

Kwenje

October

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Samfya

Ng’umbo

Kwanga

Octobe

Chienge

Shila

Mabila

October

Kawambwa

Lunda

Umutomboko

July

Chienge

Bwile

Bwile

September

Kawambwa

Chishinga

Chishinga Malaila

October

Mansa

Ushi

Chibuka

October

Mansa

Ushi

Makumba

August

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Luangwa

Nsenga-Luzi

Mbambala

November

Chinyunyu

Soli

Chibwela Kumushi

November

Kafue

Goba

Kailala

September

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Mungwi

Bemba

Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena

August

Mpika

Bisa

Chinamanongo

September

Luwingu

Bemba

Mukulu Pembe

August

Isoka

Tumbuka

Vikamkanimba

September

Isoka

Namwanga

Ng’ondo

November

Isoka

Mfungwe

Chambo Chalutanga

September

Nakonde

Namwanga

Mulasa

September

Chilubi Island

Bisa

Chisaka Chalubombo

September

Mpika

Bisa

Bisa Malaila

September

Mbala

Mambwe / Lungu

Mutomolo

June

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Mwinilunga

Lunda

Chisemwa Cha Lunda

August

Kasempa

Kaonde

Nsomo

June

Solwezi

Kaonde

Kupupa

July

Zambezi

Lunda

Lunda Lubanza

August

Kabompo

Mbunda

Lukwakwa

October

Mufumbwe

Kaonde

Makundu

August

Kabompo

Luchazi

Chivweka

June

Kabompo

Mbunda

Mbunda Liyoyelo

October

Solwezi

Kaonde

Kunyanta Ntanda

July

Mufumbwe

Kaonde

Ntongo

September

Solwezi

Lamba

Kuvuluka Kishakulu

September

Solwezi

Kaonde

Kufukwila

May

Zambezi   Luvale   Likumbi Lya Mize    August

Solwezi

Kaonde

Lubinda Ntongo

August

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Livingstone

Toka Leya

Lwiindi

January

Monze

Tonga

Lwindi Gonde

July

Kalomo

Tonga

Chungu

October

Kalomo

Toka Leya

Lukuni Luzwa buuka

August

Kalomo

Tonga

Maanzi Aabila Lwiindi

 October

DISTRICT

TRIBE

CEREMONY

MONTH

Senanga

Lozi