History of Kafue Park

by Gill Staden

Ever walked through the Kafue Park and wondered about its story? Who were the people who lived there before it became a park; what tribes were they? What is the story behind Nkala Fort? Why is the Cordon Road so straight; when and why was it put there? There is a sign for Moshi Camp, but the camp is derelict. Why?

Introduction to Kafue

The Kafue National Park is 22,480 sq km; the Game Management Areas (GMAs) surrounding it add another 45,400 sq km, tripling its size.

When the parks in Zambia were first considered in the 1940s, the authorities knew that there had to be buffers between the Wildlife in the parks and the surrounding villages. I those days hunting was a common pursuit and the GMAs, then called Hunting Areas, provided places where people could hunt on licence, and still is, common practice. GMAs have multiple uses. People live on farms and villages; companies and individuals have constructed tourist lodges and hunting safari operators have their camps.

Traditional Cermonies

Before the Europeans entered Zambia, the Bantu needed no excuse for a party. When children came of age, there was a party; when someone got married, party; when they moved village, they partied. Beer was brewed and everyone danced, sand and drummed into the early hours of the morning.

When the missionaries arrived, particularly from Britain, we can imagine those dour men from the Victorian Era frowning upon such gaiety. To them, singing meant the singing of hymes; dancing and drumming were definitely not de rigueur. And abstinence from alcohol was a must. Then the British administration arrived and banned large gatherings in case of rebellion. Consequently, throughout the colonial period all traditional ceremonies died or went underground.

When Independence came in 1964, the president, Kenneth Kaunda, had to bring many tribes and languages under one umbrella with his oft-quote byline, One Zambia One Nation, He too would not allow the tribes to showcase their diversity as he wanted all to be Zambian. After 1990s the ceremonies were allowed to restart.

After a break of over 80 years the chiefs had to re-invent their traditions. Below is a list of all the chiefs around Kafue Park and their traditional ceremonies.

NKOYA

• Chief Mutondo, Chief Kahare, Chieftainess Kabulwebulwe and Chief Momba in one ceremony called Kasanga held near Kaoma.The ceremony is for thanksgiving for harvest. A special beer is brewed which is offered to the ancestors in a hole by the sacred royal shrine (shihanda). In the past, slaves would also be sacrificed with their blood running through the furrows into the ground. This, fortunately, is not now the case.

ILA

• Chief Mungaila hosts the Shimunenga Ceremony in October at the village of Maala which is 16km from Kasenga. Along with dancing, singing and drumming the festivities of Shimunenga revolve around their cattle, the pride and joy of the Ila. The cattle are stampeded through the arena down to the river. The men and boys are herded to the river where they swim across one of its channels. This is reminiscent of the past when raiders came to their villages to steal their cattle so the Ila rushed them to the river, climbed into their canoes and made haste to the opposite bank.
• Chief Mukobela holds Shikaumpa which is also in October, held near Namwala. Shikaumpa was a famous warriorof the Ila who conquered many of the surrounding clans. His name means the one who burns and sets fire to homes and property.
• Chief Kaingu hosts Ikubi Lys Chishi. This ceremony, held in September, is to appeal to the ancestors for rain.
  
• Chief Mumba and Chief Kaindu combine to host an Ila/Kaonde Festival in October at Mumbwa, called Musaka Jikubi.

KAONDE

• Senior Chief Kasempa hosts the Juba Ja Nsoma Festival in June. The ceremony is a thanksgiving for the harvest of sorghum, maize and millet. He also appeals to the ancestors to protect the people from pests and diseases for the upcoming planting season.
• Chief Mushima holds the Makundu ceremony in September at his palace in Mufumbwe District.
• Chief Ingwe hosts the Lwendela Festival in July.

LOZI

• Senior Chief Amukena lives near Kaoma. He does not have his own festival but joins ceremony held in Mongu by Paramount Chief, the Litunga.

TONGA

• Chief Nyawa, Guta Bweenza Bwe in September at his palace through Zimba.
• Chief Siachitema holds Maanzi Aabila Lwiindi in October.
• Chief Chikanta hosts the Cuundu Lwiinda ceremony in October. He has also constructed a small museum near to his palace.
• Chief Monze holds hos popular Lwiindi Gonde Festival in July at his palace south of Monze town. His ancestors are told to be famous rain-makers called to the ancestral spirits to bring rain for a good harvest.

LENJE

• The main Lenje ceremonies are held in Chibompo by Senior Chief Mukuni.

SALA

• Senior Chief Shakumbila hosts the Ikubi-Lya-loongo festival in July as thanksgiving for the harvest.

CONSTRUCTION KAFUE RAILWAY BRIDGE,1909

WITH a fresh grant from Mr. Alfred Beit, construction of a better Kafue Railway Bridge started in 1909. The Bridge was built to carry the Livingstone to Lusaka railway line in what is now Zambia over the Kafue River. It is a steel girder truss bridge of 13 spans each of 33 metres (108 ft) supported on concrete piers.