From the shores of lake Tanganyika in the north to the shimmering expanse of lake Kariba in the south; from the vast Barotse flood plains in the west to the famed Luangwa valley in the east; from the sparkling waters of lake Bangweulu to the abundant Busanga plains in the Kafue national park; from the magnificent Victoria falls to a colorful and diverse range of cultural ceremonies…. This is Zambia and this is the real Africa.
Zambia is fed and shaped by three great rivers, bordered by three massive lakes and has big, big skies. Zambia beckons the intrepid, the adventurous, those who want to step off the conveyer belt of mass tourism.
The legendary David Livingstone first saw the awesome glory of the Victoria Falls from Zambia. His memory is enshrined in the nearby town of Livingstone, his heart is buried in this beautiful land. And at the heart of Zambia lies Lusaka, its modern and vibrant capital city crosswords of the sub continent.
Come to Zambia and experience the finest African safaris available. See the astonishing wildlife of Luangwa valley, home of the legendary walking safari; the graceful Lechwe antelope filling the vast plains of Busanga and Bangweulu in their tens of thousands; the annual wildebeest migration of the Liuwa plains, which rivals that of the Serengeti; the white water rafting frenzy of the Zambezi river; fishing, diving, house boating, skiing, canoeing, birding, and wildlife encounters par excellence.
Acknowledged as one of the world’s most peaceful countries, Zambia’s contemporary culture is a blend of the values, norm, material, and spiritual traditions of more than 70 ethnically diverse people.
There are more than 20 annual traditional ceremonies in Zambia, rituals, oral history, and spiritual culture. If you have the opportunity to attend one, do.
They are colorful, exuberant and entertaining insights into a traditional culture that has been passed down from generation to generation. The Kuomboka ceremony is the annual migration of the lozi people from low land to higher ground as the Zambezi plains in the western Zambia flood in March.
Since independence in 1964, institutions to protect and promote Zambia’s culture, particularly its rural tradition, have been created, including the national heritage conservation commission. Private museums have also been founded and cultural villages were established to promote the expression of artistic talents. The Tonga Museum in Choma is well worth a visit, as are the Nayuma Museum in Mbala, all of which aim to stimulate the production of quality craft work both in traditional forms and where craft work is a contemporary expression of art.
ZAMBIA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE
Whether your visit to Zambia is to sample the adrenalin rush of one of its adventure destinations, the tranquility of its vast wilderness, or to explore its vibrant capital city, Lusaka, allow your self to be tempted by its creativity. Don’t resist its beautifully crafted and functional basketry, the paintings, wood carvings in all sizes, the drums, masks, the colorful fabrics and naturally dyed wall hangings, the metal sculpture, or the jewellery……all another face of The Real Africa!