SWAMPY TALES

Picture by Lyn Schumaker Kalela is a spectacular type of group dance which is only practised by the people of Luapula province of Zambia. However, the Unga tribe of Bangweulu swamps treasure this type of entertainment whenever it takes place. The competition is usually between two teams from different tribes or habitats.   A competing team will typically comprise 15 to 20 members, male and female , aged between 20 and 60. The composition will include drummers and dancers. All members must participate and must be good at singing and dancing. A golden voice would earn one a crucial role in the team. Each team is led by a "King", pronounced as "Chinji" in the local language. The Chinji is basically the group's lead singer who also assumes the role of composer and director. He is the leading man to watch because he determines the failure or success of his team. He is assisted by one or two teammates who will be in charge of training others in m...

  The richest man in the family had just died. Every relative wanted to have a share of his wealth. The late Mulimbule was just marvelously gifted and accumulated a lot of wealth.   He looked after workers and kin very well. The village was about to conclude an elaborate funeral process at a traditional meeting locally called Isambwe Lya Mfwa . This is the climax of any funeral in the village. It’s here that the family considers and distributes the deceased’s estate. The eldest paternal uncle chaired the meeting. Mulembwe indicated the meeting would not be prolonged because people had been spending nights in the cold for the previous five days. They needed to settle the question of inheritance quickly. They confirmed his nuclear family comprising eight official wives, nine concubines and 39 children. Only 11 children were recognized by his extended family. The rest lived with their mothers away from his home in Chumbwe. The 28-strong team of adolescent...