Raise a Smile: About Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa that is surrounded by a total of 8 neighbours. These are Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
Zambia has a diverse range of wildlife including lions, giraffes, crocodiles and elephants.
Lions in South Luangwa National Park
Zambia has a population of about 11 million (approximately 1/5 the population of England) in an area of 290,000 square miles (that’s nearly 6 times bigger than England). In 1964 it gained independence from Britain and has the slogan "One Zambia, One Nation". It is therefore particularly interesting to note that some 72 ethnic groups live in this peaceful country. The official language of the country is English, but there are approximately 85 indigenous languages such as Nyanja and Bemba. Zambia is ranked 163rd out of 179 countries on the human development index (HDI). The HDI is a “human development” ranking of countries based on statistics such as literacy rates, life expectancy and standards of living.
The Zambian Coat of Arms
The vast majority of the population live in urban areas, such as the capital Lusaka. Unemployment is a big problem in Zambia with more than half the population living in poverty on less than one dollar per day, making Zambia one of the poorest countries in the world.
Nshima is a traditional food in Zambia, it is a solid porridge like food made from maize flour. It is usually served with vegetables and meat or fish, often Kapenta (small dried fish), and eaten with hands. Many families, however, can’t afford fish, meat or vegetables and so eat their nshima on its own. Often families can only afford one meal a day, if that. In some schools the pupils are given a meal at lunch time.
Making Nshima
In the South of Zambia lies Livingstone and Victoria Falls (or Mosi-oa-Tunya), one of the 7 natural wonders and the widest waterfall in the world. The 1708m wide waterfall is called Mosi-oa-Tunya in the local language of Kololo, which translated means the smoke that thunders. This describes the thundering noise and mist that rises up from the water crashing onto on the rocks below. The mist usually rises up to around 400m (sometimes even double that height in the rainy season) and can be seen from miles away. Flow rates as high as 10000 m3 / s are reached during the rainy season and 170 m3 / s in the dry season. Victoria Falls lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River.
Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) from the Zambian side
Learn some Nyanja!
Nyanja (or chinyanja) is a Bantu language spoken by a large number of Zambians. Most of the indigenous languages are extremely similar so Nyanja speakers do not find it difficult to communicate with Bemba, Lozi, Kaonda or Lunda etc. speakers. You can learn some basic phrases and words below...
Muli bwanji? - How are you?
Nili bwino - I'm Fine
Chonde - Please
Zikomo - Thank you
Mwauka bwanji - Good morning
Dzina lanu ndani? - What is your name?
Dzina langa ndi... - My name is...
Ee - Yes
Iyayi - No
Mzungu/Azungu (pl.) - White person