Zambia+Culture



 Every country has its own culture, meaning they have their own way of dressing, language, food, traditions, art, etc.

Zambia has many different cultures going on between the country because of the different ethnic groups that recide in Zambia. There's many different ethnic groups like Bemba, Nyanja-Chewa, Tonga, Tumbuka, Lunda, Covale, Kaonde, Coti, and many more. Their clothing depends on their culture, therefore every ethnic groups dresses a little different to maintain their culture.

This how the Tonga dress.



Even though the Tonga people are not originally from Zambia, they have been there for some years since they immigrated during the 12th century.



Since Zambia has many different cultures you get a wide variety of crafts, thefore people have great basketry skills. There's organizations that support basketry because people are losing the need to do things like those anymore.

They create hand printed textiles that represent the strength if their tradition. These are sold all over the world because of their uniqueness and beauty.

 

Most of their music is played with the drums which is used in rituals celebrations, and communication within communities. They also use other instruments from the western side like a hand piano, silimba. Dance is very important way to express themselves. In some night clubs in Zambia they move to the rhythms of Kwela and Rumba.



 Their diet is based on maize (corn). They eat this dish called Nshima (there is a recipe below). Just like other cultures they eat vegetables, beans, meat, fish, and more. They all have their own ways of preparing their food, but it all depends on where these items that they cook are located.

In some areas of Zambia they feed themselves with insects like flying ants, caterpillars, monitor lizards, mice, giants ants, and monkey meat.



__NSHIMA RECIPE__ For this dish you are going to need: -4 cups of water -2 cups of plain corn meal

Served 4 People

This must always be served with a hot vegetable, bean, meat, or fish dish.

Method: -Pour 4 cups of water into a medium sized cooking pot. Heat the water there for 3-4 minutes. Using a tablespoon for 3/4 of the corn meal very slowly and stirring at the same time with a cooking stick. Keep stirring until the mixture begins to thicken and boil. Turn down the heat to medium and leave it sitting there for 3-5 minutes. -Remove the top with caution. Pour the rest of the corn meal into the pot very slowly and stir until the mixture is smooth and thick. If you desire a thicker nshima then sprikle more corn or less if you desire the nshima to be softer. Cover the pot, turn the heat off, and let the nshima sit there for 2 minutes. 

Sources-  -[|http://www.zambiatourism.com] -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/culture_of_Tonga#clothing -http://www.tribaltextiles.co.zm/ -[|http://www.ruwengu.com] -http://www.springboardmagazine.com/SpringImages/monarchcaterpillar.jpg -http://mampam.50megs.com/bok/bokshai1.gif -http://www.lawrencelab.org/Outreach/2006/project/maize.jpg -http://www.galenfrysinger.com/tonga_costumes.htm// -http://www.bridgewater.edu/~mtembo/nshimachapter1.htm -http://africafood.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/nshima.gif

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