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General Information
The Tonga
Among the most numerous in Zambia, archaeologi-
cal evidence proves their existence for at least 900
years in the Southern province. Six centuries ago,
the Zambezi Valley, one of the areas where the Tong
now live, was a flourishing trade centre. Here there
was a brief period of trade between the valley peo-
ple and the Arabs, Chinese and Indians on the East
coast of Africa. One form of currency used was a
copper ingot cast in the form of a cross.
The Lunda
Now living in the Luapula area and North Western
Provinces, the Lunda people are descendants of the
original Mwata Yamvwa Chieftainship of the DRC.
The Bemba
Representing some 18% of the population, the Bem-
ba, along with the Lunda people recognize an histor-
ic place called Kola as their land of origin. Historically
they were nomadic hunters and gatherers. Their par-
amount chief is called the Chitimukulu. When copper
mining began in the Copperbelt, the Bemba speak-
ing people came down in droves for jobs.
The Kaonde
The Kaonde People can be found in Solwezi,
Kasempa and Chizera districts of Northwestern
Province and in Kaoma in the Western province. The
Kaonde like the Lunda are the descendants of the
famous Luba-Lunda Empire historically based in the
present day DRC. The Kaonde were among the first
Zambian tribes to carry out the mining of copper and
discovery of archaeological evidence at the Kansan-
shi Mine in Solwezi dating back to the Iron Age.
The Luvale
Coming from the North of Lake Tanganyika, their first
chief was a woman named Kenga Naweji. Descend-
ants of these people are the Valuvale, Valuchase,
Vambunda, Vachokwe and Vaviya tribes living in the
Northwestern province. The Luvale were for centu-
ries great travellers and traders, much of their culture
recalls their contact with the Portuguese on the An-
golan coast, five hundred years ago.
White Zambians
There are a small number of white Zambians who
trace their families back to colonial immigrants from
the period of British rule. Most will regards them-
selves as Zambians rather than British. Much of
the country’s businesses are still owned and run by
white Zambians.
Asian Zambians
Like the white Zambians, many people of Asian ori-
gin came to Zambia during the colonial period. When
the British ruled colonies in Africa and India, there
was a large movement of labour from Asia to Africa.
The Asian Zambians are an affluent group of people
retaining a strong sense of Asian identity and culture.
HEALTH AND EDUCATION
The government has a policy of universal primary
education and health care. Health facilities however
are grossly inadequate with only half the required
doctors needed to service the population available.
Some 95% of primary school age children are en-
rolled at schools with 20% continuing to the second-
ary school level and 2% of the 20 - 24 age group
continuing with education at the tertiary level. Illit-
eracy is only 27% but the drop out rate at schools is
very high. In rural areas, the standard of education
is hampered by lack of facilities, transport and teach-
ers. Through the work of various organizations and
government initiatives, these figures are changing
for the better.
Great north road orphanage