t1/ THE TONGA
The Tonga are matrilineal Bantu people living Zambia, North-Western Zimbabwe, Northern Malawi & Mozambique.
The Tonga are matrilineal Bantu people living Zambia, North-Western Zimbabwe, Northern Malawi & Mozambique.
t2/ The Tonga are known to be the first Bantu people to occupy Zambezi Valley circa 1100 AD before spreading to the various countries they occupy today.
t3/ The Tonga, traditionally independent, originally recognized no powerful chiefs but the Sikatongo ,a priest, had authority.
📸 1958- Tonga after displacement from Zambezi Valley.
📸 1958- Tonga after displacement from Zambezi Valley.
t4/ The Colonialists introduced chiefs so they could better Govern the Tongas.
📸 2014- VP Guy Scott greets senior Chief Monze, Chieftainess Choongo & Chief Chikanta.
📸 2014- VP Guy Scott greets senior Chief Monze, Chieftainess Choongo & Chief Chikanta.
t5/ The Ulanyika, the first settler in the neighborhood, also had authority.
t6/ Because of common language & culture,Tonga are grouped with the Ila, who live in the Kafue Flats, collectively they are known as Tonga-Ila.
t7/ Tonga-Ila also includes the We of Gwembe Valley and the Toka & Leya people.
t8/ The Nyami Nyami, otherwise known as the Zambezi River God or Zambezi Snake Spirit, is one of the most important gods of Tonga people, and one of the most popular modern myths associated with the rapids of the Zambezi.
t9/ Nyami Nyami is usually portrayed as a male, with the body of a snake & head of a fish or river dragon.
Traditional walking sticks depict Nyami Nyami.
Traditional walking sticks depict Nyami Nyami.
t10/ Cattle are prized in Tonga culture and are given the same names as humans.
t11/ The Tonga make a fermented drink from roots called 'chibwantu'. They also brew a fermented beer, 'matimba'.
t12/ The Tonga are known for their intricate basket work & basketry.
t13/ The construction of the Kariba Dam from 1956- 1959 led to the displacement of 57,000 people, mostly Tonga, after it was filled to capacity in 1963.
t14/ 1957 painting of the first of five turbines built for the dam.
t15/ The dam severely affected the life of the Tonga who lost their ancestral homes and rich alluvial lands.
t16- In 1957 & 1958 during the building of the dam, there was severe flooding causing damage. Tonga allude this as anger from Nyami Nyami.
t17/ 1958-1964 Operation Noah was carried out around the Kariba to relocate the animals from the man made lake.
t18/ Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula (1916-1983), a Tonga teacher, was part of the liberation struggle with Kaunda & Kapwepwe. He lost their support after independence and was alienated with few Tongas invited to national leadership.
t19/ The Tonga hold the Lwiindi Gonde traditional ceremony to celebrate rain & harvest. It's held at Gonde, near Chief Monzes place in Monze District.
t20/ The Lwiindi is held during the first weekend of July.
t21/ Lwiindi is colorful...
t22/ ...and full of pomp & tradition.
t23/ Women wore skirts made of tree bark fibres, beaded necklaces, headbands & elephant tail hairs historically.
Women playing 'bukonkoolo'at the Chikuni Music Festival in Monze
