Local traditions and culture in Zambia

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Hay muchos vagones viejos que tienen que ser retirados para chatarra y han inventado este sistema para sacarlos de las vias del tren y después hacerlos chatarra

Ther are many old wagons that must be retired for scrap and they have invented this system to take them out the railways line and later to make them scrap

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National Flags don’t get more distinctive than this. The Zambian flag has a lot of colour and a large eagle in the bottom right hand side. The Green colour represents agriculture, Red represents the struggle for independence, Black stands for the Zambian people and Orange symbolizes Zambia's mineral wealth (particularly copper). The eagle is to symbolize the Zambian people's ability to rise above the nation's problems. It was adopted on 24 October 1964 on the day of Independence.

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

Zambians traditionally use hands when eating nshima. Nsima is steamed cornmeal and is typically eaten several times a week (many eat it every day, in fact).

This is how it's done:
First wash your hands in a dish of clean water that is offered to you. The order of washing hands is: the guests, elders, older adults, younger people and children.

Next, take a pile of nsima into your hand. Place it on you palm and roll a ball by using just one hand. When the ball is done, dip it to the sauce or whatever is offered with nshima and voila!

I have to admit that I was a bit suspicious at first, but once you get used to the idea, it's fun ;)

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.

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 ]

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.

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.