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Zambia Local Customs


Learn the local customs of Zambia. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Zambia locals.
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  • Acirfa
  • By Acirfa on January 17, 2008
  • Zambia Page by Acirfa
  • Conservative casual wear is the norm everywhere. Revealing clothes should be avoided since they may cause offence.
    Do not take photo's of people without asking permission first.
    No photography in airports.
    Be aware of the amount of water

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    Keen Students!
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  • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on February 18, 2003
  • Zambia Page by Bwana_Brown
  • Electric Technology Students - Zambia
    Electric Technology Students
    by Bwana_Brown
    The people of Zambia were very friendly where ever I went. My students were also a very cooperative bunch - when you get this far in the Zambian education system you really mean business! Photo of one of my student classes at ZIT.

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    If you're going to Zambia for...
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  • By JohnMG on August 26, 2002
  • Zambia Page by JohnMG
  • If you're going to Zambia for a vacation or culteral visit, you are obviously interested interested in people, cultures, their way of life, etc. As i always find wherever i travel, if you take the time to engage people in conversation at their pace, you will be rewarded with courtesyand friendship. But you have to slow down, to perhaps 10% of the pace you'd be used to in EWurpe/USA.. This is part of the experience. I left Luanshya in 1981, and have happy memories.

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    You're on a dirt road heading...
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  • By JohnMG on August 26, 2002
  • Zambia Page by JohnMG
  • You're on a dirt road heading for a weekend camping and fishing in the bush. You stop at a village bar for a beer, or because of a puncture!. A man approaches you. He has in his hand what appears to be breadsticks. He engages you in a friendly conversation, because you are a stranger to the area and he is interersted to know more / curiousity. The conversation is going ok, you're relaxed, enjoying the interaction. He's snapping off these 'breadsticks' There's good music coming from the bar. People are dancing ( at 12.00 pm !) - they're really good dancers - moving like rubber. Eventually curiosity gets the better of you. You ask, what are you eating? He replies - chongololos. That's six-inch sun-dried millipedes to you and me. Time for a dance? [ More on the fishing, and hippos, later ]

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    DONT THROW THE CHAMELEONS ON...
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  • AL3XKMFDM
  • By AL3XKMFDM on August 25, 2002
  • Zambia Page by AL3XKMFDM
  • Zambia Local Customs
    by AL3XKMFDM
    DONT THROW THE CHAMELEONS ON THE NATIVES!!!!
    If you do, they will not be very pleased with you! If a female touches a Chameleon, she will believe she has become BAREN and will not be able to have children (its part of thier religion).
    The men are not fond of them either, they will usually kill these beautiful creatures ASAP if they see them.

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    DOES THIS SIGN MEAN THAT WOMEN...
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  • marko727
  • By marko727 on August 25, 2002
  • Zambia Page by marko727
  • Zambia Local Customs
    by marko727
    DOES THIS SIGN MEAN THAT WOMEN STILL DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN ZAMBIA?

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    ZAMBIA IS A POOR COUNTRY, AND...
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  • marko727
  • By marko727 on August 25, 2002
  • Zambia Page by marko727
  • Zambia Local Customs
    by marko727
    ZAMBIA IS A POOR COUNTRY, AND THIS WAS THE MESSAGE MY TAXI DRIVER WAS TRYING TO CONVEY. HE INSISTED ON TAKING ME TO A 'COMPOUND', TO SEE FIRST HAND HOW THE AVERAGE ZAMBIAN EEKS OUT AN EXISTENCE.

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    Things can be basic!
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  • TracyG
  • By TracyG on August 25, 2002
  • Zambia Page by TracyG
  • Zambian village - Zambia
    Zambian village
    by TracyG
    I think the most common mistake that is made by people - myself included - is that we do forget that Zambia is still a very developing country, and once you are passed Vic Falls it can become fairly basic, even in Lusaka. So take the people as they come and you will have an amazing experience.

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            Respect is the...
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  • robmcmumbi
  • By robmcmumbi on August 24, 2002
  • Zambia Page by robmcmumbi
  • Zambia Local Customs
    by robmcmumbi
            Respect is the cardinal rule in all of Zambia, and much of sub-Saharan Africa. Something I find to be sorely lacking in we Americans, I'm afraid. Bygones. So be respectful first and foremost. You must be firm often, because you will be approached for money or other items, but say no firmly, and with respect, and you will be fine.

            I have family born and raised in Lusaka whom I trust without reservation. If you need a connection in Lusaka, email me at robmcmumbi.

            Better yet, call or email my brother-in-law, Mwelwa Mumbi.


    Phone
    Email


    +260 1 242791
    mwelwamumbi@yahoo.com


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    Greet everyone new who enters the room
    danzndeb
  • By danzndeb on February 20, 2008
  • Zambia Page by danzndeb
  • It is considered ignorant to ignore the presence of someone new entering a room without greeting them.
    Mwashabukinni Mu Kwai.. good morning. in Bemba
    shake hands with a bow.

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