•CHILUNGA

By MIRIAM ZIMBA –

TRADITIONAL cousinship popularly known as ‘chimbuya,’ is a phenomenon between the Bembas and Ngonis whose origins date back to the 19th Century.
Since then this social relationship has blossomed up to this day and a simple concept whose premise is based on jokes formally described as traditional cousinship.
A Bemba man may claim that ‘all Ngoni women belong to him and vise-versa.’
This social pastime has continued to play a major role in maintaining peaceful co-existence amongst the 73 ethnic groups in Zambia.
A similar exchange exists between the Tonga and Lozi tribes.
Tribal cousinship jokes are largely displayed at gatherings such as marriage and funeral ceremonies, as well as other day-to-day events springing from work place interactions, to social events such as during drinking sprees.
This notion is largely supported by traditionalist Dixon Chasaya who is of the view that it has contributed to the prevention of ethnic animosities.
Mr Chasaya explained that although the concept was originally coined by the Bembas and the Ngoni, it has now been adopted by other tribes in Zambia, who have learnt to peacefully co-exist under ‘chimbuyaship’ (tribal cousinship).
Perhaps the unity and peace enjoyed in Zambia nowadays can be attributed to this concept of chimbuyaship as well as the One Zambia, One Nation motto.
The  unity and co-existence amongst the ethnic tribes in Zambia is one that can easily stand out as an example on the African continent.
There are many examples of how ethnic differences, commonly referred to as tribalism have led to uproars and in some cases civil war, leaving most victims displaced, with others leaving their homelands and becoming refugees.
Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga is of the view that talks of tribalism in the recent past are extremely disturbing.
“After 50 years  of independence  talk about tribalism are extremely disturbing. I am convinced that the people of Zambia value the national unity of our country and abhor tribalism in the strongest terms,” he explained.
He explained that many Zambians have embraced the national motto of ‘One Zambia, One Nation, as evidenced by the thousands of intermarriages across the country.
Mr Mwaanga believes that tribalism is not being propelled by the ordinary Zambians, but instead by leaders in various capacities.
“The people talking or even practicing tribalism if at all, are leaders in Government, political parties, public and private companies or civil society organisations, because ordinary Zambians are not tribal and find talk of tribalism detestable,” he noted.
“I have full confidence that the people of Zambia, will continue to reject the ugly face of tribalism in its manifestations going forward,” Mr Mwaanga added.
Former freedom fighter Betty Chilunga says the concept of tribalism is one that was not prevalent amongst the older generation.
“The One Zambia, One Nation motto, united the country, because when we fought for independence we had a unity of purpose. And that’s how our forefathers came up with the slogan of One Zambia, One Nation,” she explained.
“In our time, a person could start off from one part of the country to another, without worrying about how he or she would survive.
“As long as one said they were UNIP, in the name of UNIP, they would be taken care of,”
“We were not saying this is a Tonga, a Bemba and so forth, whether you were in Bembaland, Luvale land, or any other, you were received as a brother or a sister. The one Zambia, One Nation united us all together,” she added.
Mama Chilunga believes that tribalism comes as a result of selfishness, and that people propelling acts of tribalism in Zambia are retrogressive to the tenets that Zambia stood for.
She explained that shortly after independence, including the years that followed, there was no need for a Zambian vying for the position of Member of Parliament (MP) to contest in their homeland, in order to win an election.
“In our times, there was no need for me as Betty Chilunga to go and stand a parliamentary candidate in Chavuma where I was born.
I could go to Eastern, Southern, or Western province as long as I was identified as a member of UNIP, I could stand and win elections. An example of this was the late Bulawayo, who in the first election did not need to stand in Mwinilunga where he hailed from,” Mama Chilunga noted.
She cited examples such as the late politician Humphrey Mulemba, a Kaonde man from Solwezi, who instead stood for MP in Eastern Province and won, because the Zambians in the province viewed him in the spirit of brotherhood.
Similarly, many other people who stood in various constituencies around the country went through without any problems, as long as one was able to perform, they would be elected.
Sadly, this is not the case in Zambia today. Many people vying to become MP or even local government councillors, are resorting to contesting elections in their homelands or regions.
“This is not the case today. We now hear of cases where highly positioned people are talking about it, when during our time this was not there, but this time around it (tribalism) is moving around like an animal,” Mama Chilunga explained.
She stressed that because all mankind is equal before God, there is no tribe that should see itself as superior to others.
She pointed out that in view of the country’s 50 years of independence, issues of tribalism should be set aside for the interest of the future generations.
She urged all Zambians to unite in fighting the vice of tribalism which she said is capable of reversing all the good that the forefathers of the nation fought for at independence
Mama Chilunga said the selection of the country’s Cabinet under the leadership of first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda, was one that cut across tribal barriers.
She explained that this was a deliberate move aimed at ensuring equal representation from all of the country’s ethnic groups.
“KK recognised the importance of each province had played. He knew that there were 73 tribes, therefore in his appointments, he picked from different regions of the country. It was a balanced leadership.
“It is only now that you will hear about family trees.  Inter-marriages are also helpful in breaking the barriers of tribe, and I urge our daughters and sons to marry from different tribes, so that the off-spring will be from both sides. I think the intermarriages are helping,” Mama Chilunga said.
In echoing sentiments by Mr Mwaanga, Mama Chilunga said it is unfortunate to hear of leaders standing at a platform to make statements that may otherwise be interpreted as tribal.
“Leaders who talk about tribalism are the same ones promoting it,” she said.
However, as things stand today, Zambia is still an example to many other countries on how tribal unity is work-able for  maintaining peace.
All that is left now for the country to use its national motto and phenomena such as chimbuyaship to jealously guard its unity of purpose.