Zambia is a culturally rich country with a mix of diverse ethnicities in its towns and cities. Most people in urban areas have mixed their different Bantu cultures with the European culture influenced by the colonial era to come up with a “Zambian culture”.
This is highly attributed to urbanization after independence when a lot of different groups started moving into economic centers for work purposes. However, most of the authentic cultures are still found mainly in the rural areas of the country.
With over 73 languages and ethnicities studying in Zambia will be a worthy cultural experience. The people are friendly and peaceful and are known. It goes without argument that the country’s culture has been a vital part of its development post-independence.
Christianity is widely practiced but the traditional cultures still dominate outside the urban areas. When in Zambia, and depending on one’s geographical location, one might get the opportunity to experience traditional ceremonies such as Kuomboka and Khathanga, Mutomboko, Kulamba, Chibwela Kumushi, and Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena to mention a few festivities. These ceremonies are nothing short of a demonstration to showcase the Zambian culture.
Pottery, basketry, stools, fabrics, mats ivory carvings, wire and copper crafts, and wooden crafts are some of the popular traditional arts commonly found around the country most people in the rural areas use these crafts as a means of gaining an income, separate from the agricultural means of income.
Zambian traditional music like most African music is based on percussion instruments, clapping, and stomping. Zambians love to sing and dance, therefore do not be surprised if you come across any singing and dancing in the streets and public spaces, it is part of their cultural expression and it symbolizes the beauty and manifestation of life in Zambia.
Foreign genres such as rhumba and reggae have also been adopted into the Zambian music especially in the urban areas. Foreign influence birthed a unique genre of music in Zambia, popularly known as Zam-Rock in the 1970s; music that identifies as a blend in between traditional music and heavy repetitive riffs commonly found in western music.
Maize is a major dietary staple and is typically eaten as Nshima, a thick porridge from maize flour. Cassava is also found as the main component of Nshima in some parts of the country. Nshima is served with a wide variety of relish stews and vegetables. These include beef, chicken, goat, and mutton stews and kapenta fish, with spinach and other green vegetables on the side.
Another common relish is Ifisashi is another; greens or meat mixed with peanut butter. It is common to find food stalls and restaurants serving Nshima on the menu. The ability to cook Nshima is a lengthy process that needs to be mastered.
Although they are several past time activities, football is the most popular sport in Zambia and you are bound to find sports bars filled with football fanatics on weekends watching European league games.
The Zambian national football team is the pride of the country after winning the African Cup on Nations in 2012. In 1996 it was ranked 15th spot in the FIFA World team rankings, the highest-ranking ever attained by a southern African team.
Zambia shares a similar culture and lifestyle with its southern African neighbors therefore as you travel across the countries you are bound to pick up, cultural and linguistic traits of Zambian identity in other places. This is proof that Zambian culture transcends across its borders.
"Zambia is a place to be" - Martin from Canada