TODAY’S RECIPE IS CHIKANDA.
Chikanda is mainly eaten by bembas from northern province and muchinga
province.Chikanda grows naturally in the bushes of Zambia.It looks
like small pototatoes.
YOU WILL NEED:
250 grams chikanda
500 grams unshelled groundnuts
A pinch of salt,chilly powder and soda.
METHOD:
Wash chikanda in clean cold water.
After that remove from the water and put it on a tray and dry them for
a few minutes.
Pound the chikanda and sieve as well as the groundnuts.
Put them in separate bowls.
Put a litre of water in a medium pot.Add the groundnuts while the
water is still cold.
Chikanda is best cooked on a brazier.
Put the pot on the fire and start stirring immediately.
Stir until the groundnuts are cooked.
Add the chikanda,chilly powder and salt.
Continue stirring until the contents become thick.
Dissolve a pinch of soda in cold water and add to the chikanda.
Stir until chikanda becomes thick like nshima.
Cover for 10 minutes.
Remove the pot from fire and put aside.
Get some coals of fire and put on top of the lid.
This is to allow the top layer of chikanda to get baked.
After 10 minutes remove chikanda from the pot and put on a plate.
Allow to cool and cut into desired pieces.
It known as african polony as well.
Makes 6 servings.
Serve it as a snack.It’s yummy.Try it out now.

Chikanda – Habenaria_plant

Photo by J.M.Garg - Wikipedia.

Kitwe Elects a New Mayor and Deputy Mayor

New Mayor: Kelvin Sinyangwe

New Deputy Mayor: Godfridah Chulu

I lived in Kitwe from 1967 to 1972 with my husband and two daughters. My third daughter was born there in 1971. We lived on Geddes Street. Got quite nostalgic reading all the names. There were some streets in alphabetical order called after Irish towns and cities.

We loved it while we were there and had the opportunity of visiting Southern Rhodesia as Zimbabwe was then and also Mozambique, Malawi, Durban, Cape Town etc. We used to shop sometimes in Mufulira. In those days the further up the railway line you went the cheaper goods were.

I worked in Barclays Bank for a while and then I went to Cooper Bros (Coopers & Lybrand) on Kaunda Square. Loved it. Hope everybody there has a good life and that the Zambians are doing well. They are a lovely people.  Kaunda was a good president while we were there. I had some ladies who used to sit around Kaunda Square crocheting make me some little things for the baby when she was born. This daughter actually used them for her daughter’s christening.  They are beautiful.  Love to all in Kitwe.

I had a lot of photos from our trip to Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia then) and the photographer who was developing them had a mishap and they were all destroyed.  I was very upset. We had about 3 films of 36 each and they were all ruined. We flew over Victoria Falls. Such a sight. I will never forget it.

After our meal one night we asked the waiter for 6 Irish Coffees.  He never heard of them. So I told him what I needed and I would make them myself.  He duly brought the coffee, Irish whisky, cream and hot water. Quite a few of the guests also asked for them so I introduced the Victoria Falls Hotel to Irish coffees.

We also stayed at the Kariba Dam Hotel. It was off season and we were told we could choose whichever rooms we liked. All the bathrooms were different colours and the children had great fun running through the rooms deciding by the colour of the bathroom!

We also stayed at Leopard Rock Hotel in Zimbabwe which we got to by driving up the escarpment. It was terrifying. But worth the drive. Queen Elizabeth II stayed there when she was a princess. There was a plaque commemorating her visit. Seemingly there was a lot of leopards in the area but none to be seen when we were there. Just lots of baboons.

We all got such a shock when we jumped into the pool. It was freezing – so high up and fresh water being pumped in to it all the time from a mountain stream. That area was called The Highlands. I must have reminded somebody of Scotland.

We also drove down to Beira in Mozambique and had a wonderful time there. On our way back to Ireland we drove down to Malawi and on to South Africa. We stayed with friends in Durban for a couple of weeks and then got on board the ship and stopped off in Cape Town for passengers and then up the west coast to I think Dakar and then Rotterdam, Lisbon, Southampton and home. A wonderful trip. Never to be forgotten.

Letters From a Retired Miner

Greetings my friends.

I want to say that Joseph Mwila Bwembya is only a baby, but in his brains he is a wise man.  This is why he said let me write a book to explain the sayings of my Bemba ancestors. I wish other young men and women can follow his example.  They can say to their parents “Teach me our customs so that I can teach my children.” It is not just Bemba people,  all people.

Many people complain that young people these days don’t respect their elders. I agree. But I say to the elders “What are you doing to teach these young men and women?”

In Bemba we say “Imiti ikula empanga.” This means when you are in the forest and you look around,  all those small trees you are seeing today will be the big trees you will come and find in future.” If you don’t look after them or you chop them down, there will be no forest tomorrow. If you want a beautiful forest you must look after these small growing trees today.

That is why I am happy to see Bwembya’s book. It is good to teach children the wisdom of the Bembas.

Many people who read this live with children.  It does not matter if they are not your own children. Every day you can show a child that ancestors also made mistakes. From making mistakes,  they said “Let us tell stories and let us make sayings to teach our children and grand children. They will learn from our mistakes.”

If you say “These people lived in the village in the bush,  they cannot teach me about life,” it means you want life to teach you. But a wise person learns from other people. When you pay attention to your elders,  listening is the price you pay. When life is your teacher,  you pay with suffering.

Insaka_kitweonline

In my village, we have Insaka in the middle of the village. In the evening, we make a fire. Children and old people sit around the fire and we tell stories. We did not do this when I worked as a miner on the Copperbelt.

I love telling stories around the fire.  When I retired, I wanted to come to my village. I wanted to continue to explain these sayings of my Bemba ancestors because it will help children in my village to grow up with wisdom. In the village, the children come to you. In the town, there is nowhere to sit in the evenings for children to come and listen to stories.

We get less children at the fire side because they go to watch TV at shi Mambwe’s house. He retired last year. He brought solar power and he shows video films in his house. He says there is something there also for children who are growing up. I hope he is telling the truth that one day wise men from all villages will sit in the TV and teach children our traditions. A clever child uses his ears and eyes to learn. A child who is not clever waits until the fire burns him.

Shi Mambwe charges for his video shows. We don’t charge at the fireside. Insaka is still free. Does a father ask for money from his son before he teaches him? Does a mother ask for money from her daughter before she teaches her? Mwe bantu!

 Shi Mambwe says he will not waste his time teaching other people’s children. He said “If someone paid me,  then I will think about it.” If you think like him it means you make children poor two times. Village children are poor for money.  Now they will be poor for knowledge. In our tradition even children with no parents can learn pa Nsaka.

Well done Joseph Mwila Bwembya. My son told me people pay for your book. That is ok, but it is our job, we elders, to bring the wisdom of our fathers to you young people for free.

In Bemba we say “Mwikala patalala mwine apatalalika.” It means the one who wants to live in peace he must make the peace for himself. Don’t expect other people to come and teach the young people in the village how to live in peace. You do it. Then you will stop complaining that young people these days have no manners.

_______________

In Zambia, as in several countries in Africa, Nshima forms the staple food. Also known as Sima, Ubwali, Sadza, it is Zambians what rice or potatoes are in other cultures.

Nshima is also known as Sima and as Ubwali,depending on where you are. It is made from maize meal. The dried maize is ground into a powder and the husks are sieved off to leave a fine white flour. In Bemba this flour is known as “Ubunga.”

Ubunga can also be made from dried Cassava roots (Ubunga bwa Tute) and from millet grain (Ubunga bwa Male). The consistency is different and each dish requires its own modification to the basic technique in order to get a well cooked dish.

Preparation of the dish (See video instructions below) is essentially a matter of mixing the flour with water as you heat it up to a thick porridge. The trick is to do this without forming lumps of poorly cooked flour. With proper technique, it is possible to get a smooth paste every time.

After cooking, a thin crust forms at the bottom of the pot (unless you used a non-stick pan). This has a nice crispy taste, but most people look down on adults eating this crust. It tends to remain in the pot and gets soaked and cleaned off when doing the dishes. The other day I tucked into a packet of Mexican Tortillas and the taste was identical to “Icikwangwa.” I finished the packet without any sense of guilt. If I had asked for “Icikwangwa” in the village, people would have given me funny looks.

Mexican Tortilla crisps

Here is a step-by-step video on how to prepare Nshima It takes you from a cold start to the finished product:

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - Zambian Poet

Denny Moonde_kitweonline

Full Names;

MUNTANGA DENNY MOONDE

How long have you been writing?

Since 1994

What made you decide to become a writer?

My time at school when I took Literature in English as a subject.

What sort of training have you undertaken towards becoming a better writer?

Apart from online and other research, none.

How long did it take you to write this poem (Precipitation is Upon Us)?

This took me half a day.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing? Do you follow a routine?

No routine, though I like it quiet
What else have you written about? 

Varies from social, political and some stuff for kids.
Where do you get your ideas from, for your writing?

Ideas are generated from the environment around, generally anything goes.
Do you ever get writer’s block? If so, how do you deal with it?

Once in a while. How do I deal with it? Am not too sure.
What do you think makes a poem?

Creating something that can be pictured in one’s mind, something that can be referred to. Sometimes just something plain laughable this world sometimes is too serious for seriousness!

What do you feel most comfortable writing about?

As above
Is there a message in this poem? If so, what is it?

Yeah, we tend to complain when nature is there for us to utilise. Laziness is a sure way to a pauper life style.
How many books have you written?

None

What is your favourite piece of writing among the pieces you have done?

I like my work but maybe a few standout say…..Dangled Carrot, Mmmm, Drunk Driving and 88 Piano Keys
What book has influenced your life the most?

I am inspired by most work I read.
What are your future plans regarding your writing?

I would like to publish an e-book
What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Reading, playing soccer or watching movies.
What are the major problems writers face in Zambia, in your opinion?

How to get work published, a central place where writers can share ideas.
What sort of infrastructure do you think will help upcoming writers?

More libraries with updated information/internet facilities in short a resource centre that is well stocked.
What essentials do writers require to write effectively?

I think we need to be well read and ready to accept assistance
Have you got any suggestions for other writers?

Share your work don’t take it to the grave with you.
What are your current projects?

Trying to have my first e-book out by 4^th quarter of the year.

What else can you tell us about yourself?

I was a member of the writers association of Munali Secondary School, serving as secretary for two years. We also formed a parallel group earlier on for creative writers and had the notice board posted with articles.

Thank you for sharing with us.

______________________

Are you a writer? Would you like to share your passion with us? Get in touch HERE.

BOOK REVIEW

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGES IN ZAMBIA

A Study in Cultural History

Yizenge A. Chondoka M.A.

1988

Traditional Marriages in Zambia – kitweonline

Recently I received a present through the post in the form of a hard cover book. “Traditional Marriages in Zambia” is sixty nine pages long and was written by Professor Yizenge A. Chondoka.

The author gives two reasons for writing this book. The first was to promote Zambian culture and the second, to provide an alternative way to of getting married.

The book covers the marriage traditions of eighteen of Zambia’s 72 tribes. These are divided into the patrileneal group (where descent is traced through the father’s relationship), e.g. Lozi, Namwanga, Tumbuka, etc. and the matrileneal group (descent is traced through relationship to the mother), e.g. Bemba, Kaonde, Nsenga, Tonga of Gwembe valley, e.t.c.

By looking at the differences and similarities between the various traditions, the reader gets a good idea of the wide spectrum of beliefs and practices prevalent in Zambian society.

Finally, the meaning of marriage is explored by comparing pre-colonial against post-independence practices.

Written in an easy to read style, the book manages to educate without being too formal. It highlights some of the underlying reasons behind certain practices that may have become unpopular with increasing urbanization but have not ceased to be important.

Marriage has such a central role to play in the propagation of the human race that one would expect that children would be exposed to the collective memory of their ancestors. Instead, couples are pushed into a life-long commitment without a user manual and then get blamed when they don’t get it right.

The consequences of broken marriages can be devastating, especially where children are involved. Sadly, this trend is increasing throughout the world.

Oral traditions sought to remedy this problem of ignorance. This book adds to the arsenal of every newly-wed couple as well as “veterans” who want to live a happy married life. The author’s effort should be commended for providing a valuable insight into the Zambian traditional marriage scene in fairly good detail.

I would have liked to see more detail of the different practices because this kind of information is threatened with extinction as more and more people lose sight of the ways that worked to help people get it right.

The benefits of happy marriages has far ranging consequences beyond couples’ closed doors. This book helps to focus attention on what has been, and helps couples look to a future where they are not repeating the mistakes their ancestors made. It also encourages communication, through words and symbols, to be given a prominent place in every home. The author’s effort should be commended for providing a valuable insight into the Zambian traditional marriage scene in fairly good detail.

I would recommend this book to my friends, family and anybody who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Zambian marriages.

Thanks Robinson for an absorbing book present.

ISBN (paperback) 9982-07-000-Z

ISBN (hard cover) 9982-07-001-X

Available from

Paulines

Catholic Bookshop

Box 36291

Lusaka

Zambia

Jaan Panjabi AKA PNB (Panjabi By Nature) has made a reputation as a producer of popular music that blends Bhangra (a form of music from Punjab, a North Western Indian State) sounds with Western sounds.

For his latest offering, Nath Dig Pey, he has teamed up with three artists to produce another hit as TEAM PNB.
Bambi is the leading lady.
Raj Bains is a traditional singer.
Sanjay is a singer-song writer.

The track is available on iTunes.

Amapinda Ne Nsoselo

We ushishi njili soimwene mulunweno.

That is to say: You who does not know the person we were talking about, come and see him now.

Emukutila: Mune weushaishiba ulya muntu twalelandapo, ala somumone uyu.

A Meeting With Jericho Shinde

One of Zambia’s most creative Midfielders of the 1980’s, Jericho Shinde lives a quiet life now after having coaching stints at Nkana, Kabwe Warriors and Kalulushi Modern Stars.

This writer caught up with Jericho at a restaurant in Kitwe’s heavy industrial area. The place used to be a post office. It is situated just behind the Buildlect complex.

Jericho is a regular patron of this place which sells food, beer and assorted drinks.

Jericho Shinde sat at one of the tables close to the counter. He was sipping his favourite drink, Coca Cola.

A close friend to this writer recognised Jericho Shinde and greeted him by his footballing nickname, “ Ah muli shani ba Tanker?”( meaning “How are you Tanker?”). The soccer legend was in a very jovial mood and responded in a very welcoming manner.

This writer and his friend sat at the same table with the Zambian football legend, as he was the only patron in the restaurant at that time, to chat with him.

When asked about what his feelings were with regards to the semi- final defeat that Zambia suffered at the last Cecafa tournament in Kenya, he said, ”Guys, do you know that our current players cannot compare to the likes of Kalusha Bwalya? They might be in the generation of players who brought us the most prized honour in African soccer, but their quality is not anything to be proud of.”

“Look, when I was active as a coach,” he continued, ”I could see defenders colliding due to poor communication at the back and I would ask them Hey you guys why are you colliding like this? Is Alex Chola on the field of play? Alex Chola is the only player who caused defenders to collide due to his dribbling skills.”

The Tanker was not happy for the top scorer in the league to attain fewer than twenty goals in the recent season. He said, “You see guys I think KCM and FAZ should set minimum goal targets for the top scorer in the league. They should say for the league top scorer to get the prize money, he should score a minimum of 25 goals. If there is no one who beats that target in a season, there should be no award given to the top scorer in that season. That will encourage players to work hard and score more goals. In the end, the national team will start performing well.”

He further went on, ”These days I’m a worried person because it has been long since our national team scored more than three goals.”

He paused a while to smoke. After a while he laughed and said,  ”You see, when we were playing at Nkana, we used a lot of psychology as players. I remember one incidence when Beston Chambeshi and I intimidated a goalkeeper. We deliberately started arguing as to who would take the penalty kick. Beston said Let me take this penalty because if you take it you will make this goalkeeper dirty. Jericho, you like taking your penalties hard and low. Look at this pitch it is not even. I will take high in the top corner.”

He continued, “Beston did just that. He took the penalty and aimed for the top corner. The goalkeeper went low in the opposite direction.”

He went on to recount how they dominated the Zambian league in the 1980’s as Nkana. ”We had a very good understanding of each other on the field of play. We fought for each other. We could change the system of play within a game without the coach saying so. We knew how to respond to our opponents. The coaches and the other players trusted my leadership on the pitch as captain.”

He laughed and continued, ”One day we lost our game to Kabwe Warriors. Gentile (Kapambwe  Mulenga) came into the changing room. Ben made a mistake in defence and caused that defeat. He was having his shower and he had foam from his soap in his eyes. Gentile went straight to him, slapped him in the face, and demanded his training allowance. We never got any bonuses for a defeat.”

This writer chipped in and asked the Tanker why he had a poor performance when Zambia played Algeria in 1985 at Independence stadium during the Africa cup qualifier. This writer watched that match live and saw that Shinde did not have a good game.

Shinde responded and said,” Ah so you remember that game? I was in pain. Many people did not know that I was carrying a knee injury. Our national coach, Colonel Brightwell Banda, insisted that I should play that day. You know by then Zambia Army supported the national team a great deal. The army had the best drugs at that time. The Coach arranged for me to go to the military hospital where they injected me with a pain killer. I could not cope with the pace of Rabar Madja in midfield. He disposed me of the ball and passed to his teammate on the wing. He ran into the box to meet the cross and headed the ball in. It was too late for us to fight back as it was scored in additional time and we lost.”

Now more people started coming into the restaurant. It was difficult to continue the chat with the Tanker. It was such a pleasant day to sit and talk to one of the most gifted midfielders in the history of Zambian football.

Jericho Shinde won several titles with Nkana football club. He is a soccer icon in Kitwe.

He is truly a legend of Zambian soccer.

Read More About Jericho Shinde: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho_Shinde

Akashi ushilala bakakumbwa umutenge.

Emukutiila: Tekwesha ukulakumbwa in’ganda yabanobe nangula ubwikalo bwabo pantu tawaishiba ifyo baikala muli ilya ng’anda.

Literal meaning: There are many people who admire other people’s lives not knowing that they also have got their own problems which may even be too hard as compared to them.(“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” – Editor)

My President lives!

Unjust rhetoric unabated,

Invalid news devalued.

Up and down they hop.

Adulterated verbal outbursts!

But when he breathes!

Lo and behold shall they scatter!

My President lives!

One by one, he shall batter

Beat the drums!

African sunset; blackened thoughts!

Beckoned hope; a sunrise bright!

My President awakes!

Diminished talk, sacrilegious.

We rule another day

Dark horses; sun rays!

Rabid mouth; beware!

My president lives!

REFLECTIONS LEADING TO MY LAST YEAR AT KITWE BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL 1964

George M. Lazarevic – kitweonline

Scholar occupation of the newly built school took place in 1957 with the then head master Mr J Hall. Initially the school was a co-education one, with building of the proposed Girls’ High School, next door, having been ‘completed’ in 1959 but it was only in 1962 that the former one became an entirely boys’ school. However, right up till 1964 one still had a handful (figuratively) of girls coming over to the boys’ school, and vice-versa, for tuition in particular subjects – possibly because of a shortage of teaching staff.

I am not aware of how the school functions today, but I shall endeavour to recall how matters were 50+ years ago so that present incumbents are in a position to compare the then and now. I can clearly state that Kitwe Boys’ High School was a well-managed and controlled establishment with strict discipline being the order of the day – to which the bulk of the scholars adhered. Policing was overseen by the teaching staff and designated school prefects

As regards the school uniform, long-sleeved white shirts had to be worn full length ie it was forbidden to wear the sleeves folded part-way up the forearm. Haircuts had to be appropriate ie no dyed or long hair covering one’s ears. The school tie had to be worn full time from when one left home till one’s return. Additionally, one had to wear a straw boater (basher) as part of one’s school uniform while in public view to and from school.

School books were issued to the scholars and these had to be covered in brown (butchers) paper in order to preserve same. One was punished for non-adherence to this ruling to the extent of two to three strokes of the cane being dispensed to serious defaulters so, needless to say, books were always immaculately covered.

Among other qualifications, the school offered GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ level curricula and then an ‘M’ level in 1964 (one year’s study after ‘O’ level instead of two) which gained one entry, specifically, into a South African university.

Athletics’ activities comprised three competing houses namely Eagle, Falcon and Hawk covering all of the customary track and field events culminating in an annual inter-house and inter-schools events.

Besides cricket and rugby, one was spoilt for choice be it soccer, hockey, basketball, lawn tennis or swimming.

Additionally, we had a woodwork club, a chess club, a young farmers club, a school choir, a gymnastics club, badminton and lawn tennis clubs, a rowing club, a dramatic society, a photographic society, a printing press and a contingent of school cadets. Most of these activities were also competed against other schools but not necessarily on an annual basis.

Without mentioning names, I recall with great fondness and admiration, three teachers and a head master who had supreme subject knowledge and unmatched expertise in imparting this learning to the scholars – to them I shall remain forever grateful.

The excellent schooling foundation, especially in the subjects of physics, chemistry and mathematics made tertiary education a less onerous undertaking within the mechanical engineering field, which is what I accomplished and have recently retired from.

Staff – Kitwe Boys High School – 1961

Images courtesy of George M. Lazarevic – former Head Boy (1964) at Kitwe Boys High School