Traditional Ceremonies in Zambia: Form 1 History notes

25SCHOOLS FREE LEARNING NOTES FOR ZAMBIA FORM 1 Traditional Ceremonies in Zambia History Lesson notes for learners · Competence-Based Curriculum What a traditional ceremony is Kinds of traditional ceremonies Why traditional ceremonies are important Protecting ceremonies Check yourself INSIDE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 25schools.com · Notes, quizzes and lesson plans for Zambian learners A traditional ceremony is a public event in which a community marks an important moment in the life of its people, such as a harvest, the installation of a chief, or the passage of young people into adulthood. In Zambia you may see the Kuomboka of the Lozi, the Nc'wala of the Ngoni, the Umutomboko of the Lunda or the Ukusefya pa Ng'wena of the Bemba, and each one shows how a people keep their history and values alive. AFTER THESE NOTES YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO Explain what a traditional ceremony is and name well-known ceremonies of Zambia Group traditional ceremonies by the purpose they serve Analyse the importance of traditional ceremonies for a community and for the nation Explain why valuable ceremonies should be protected and passed on to the young KEY WORDS ceremony a formal public event held to mark something important tradition a custom or belief passed down from older generations to younger ones culture the way of life of a people: their language, dress, food, beliefs, music and customs chief the traditional leader of a community, who holds office under customary law initiation teaching and rites that prepare young people for adult life Chisungu the Bemba initiation ceremony that prepares a girl for womanhood and marriage first fruits the first part of the harvest, offered or tasted before the people eat freely heritage what a people inherit from the past and pass on, such as customs, stories and places 1 What a traditional ceremony is A traditional ceremony follows customs that older generations handed down. It is held at a known time or on a known occasion, and the community gathers to take part. There is usually a leader, special dress, music, dance and food. • • • • Form 1 History Lesson notes 25schools.com Page 2 of 7 Ceremonies are not all the same. Some mark a stage in a person's life, some mark the farming year, some honour a chief, and some remember an event in the history of a people. The table below gives six well-known examples. The Kulamba is held by the Chewa, who live mainly in Eastern Province. Chewa people from other parts of Zambia and from the neighbouring countries of Malawi and Mozambique also come to it, because the Chewa are one people living in all three countries. The Nc'wala is held in February, when the first fruits of the harvest are tasted. It thanks God and the ancestors, honours the Ngoni king, Mpezeni, and remembers the migration of the Ngoni. Ceremony People Province What it is about Kuomboka Lozi Western The Litunga moves from the flooded plain to higher ground Nc'wala Ngoni Eastern Thanks for the first fruits, honour to King Mpezeni, remembering the Ngoni migration Umutomboko Lunda Luapula Remembers the migration and victories of the Lunda Ukusefya pa Ng'wena Bemba Northern Remembers the migration of the Bemba and thanks the ancestors Likumbi Lya Mize Luvale North- Western Celebrates Luvale culture, including the Makishi masked dancers Kulamba Chewa Eastern Chewa chiefs and people gather to honour the paramount chief Kalonga Gawa Undi Figure 1. Some well-known traditional ceremonies of Zambia, with the people who hold them and what each is about 2 Kinds of traditional ceremonies Ceremonies can be grouped by their purpose. Grouping them helps you answer examination questions, because you can name the group first and then give an example. Ceremonies of the life cycle follow a person from birth to death. They include naming ceremonies, initiation ceremonies for girls and boys, weddings and funerals. The Chisungu is a Bemba example. It is the initiation of girls into womanhood. It is held for the girls of a family or village, not for the whole community, and elder women teach the girls the duties of adult life and marriage. Initiation ceremonies for young people prepare them for these duties. Ceremonies of the farming …