Thread by @Historian_Zed

t1/ THE BEMBA PEOPLE
The Bemba came to Zambia during the great Bantu migrations of the 16th & 17th centuries.

📸 1910- Bemba tribesmen after harvesting mahogany hardwood .

t2/ The collection of ethnicities known as Bemba have a ruling class called Abena Ng'andu. This clan traces its ancestry to Mbemba Nshinga (aka Nzinga) who ruled Kongo from 1509-1543.
Present day Bemba consists of about 40 clans.

📸 1932- Young Bemba girls

t3/ The Bemba entered Zambia by crossing the Luapula River at Chipya in the Senior Chief Matanda's Chiefdom in Mansa.

📸 Young Bemba girl c1935- 1950

t4/ There are other tribes such as the Ushi, Lamba, Bisa, Chishinga, Kunda, Lala, Lunda, Ng’umbo, Swaka, Tabwa & Unga who speak dialects of Bemba. They're affiliated with the Bemba tribe, but are considered independent tribes.
📸 Lunda People- Luapula

t5/ Colonialism & destruction of local traditions distorted the history of the Bemba whose history is more aligned to East African tribes than Western Zambia Tribes.

t6/ Legend has it that the chief of the Luba, Mukulupe, married a woman named Mumbi Lyulu Mukasa, who fell from the sky & had long ears. She was of the Crocodile (Ng'andu) clan. She had sons Chiti, Nkole & Katongo who fled after a dispute. They took their sister Chilufya.

t7/ The Kikuyu in Kenya had a similar folklore; Mumbi Muthiga is regarded as the mother of the Gikuyu people. She was married to Gikuyu, the father of the tribe, after falling from the sky.
📸 Kikuyu people of Kenya ( Note the big ears- ornaments on women)

t8/ The Bemba and Kenya Kikuyu have same folklore & tradition including how they built huts.

📸 Kikuyu Huts ( note similarity with Bemba ones)

t9/ After fleeing Luba, Bemba raided smaller tribes, taking their land, resources & women. Nkole & Chiti died and were buried at Shimwalule, which is now royal burial ground for all Chiefs.

📸 2013- Defence Minister GBM at Shimwalule for burial of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.

t10/ After death of her brothers, Chilufya's son was crowned the new Chief, starting the matrilineal royal succession.

t11/ The Bemba had settled in Northern Province after spotting a dead crocodile that they took to represent a good omen. They named the Capital Ngwena.

t12/ Zambia was colonized by the British in the early 1890's, who viewed the Bemba as warlike and fearsome people.

t13/ Bemba continue to have a powerful influence in present day society.
📸 2015- MMD President Nevers Mumba pays respect to Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II

t14/ The Bemba setup a central system of Government led by the Chitimukulu, "The Great Tree". He is assisted by subchiefs from the royal crocodile clan.

📸 1957- Chitimukulu(left) of the Bemba & Chief Kazemee at a party for Queen Elizabeth - Broken Hill.

t15/ The current Chitimukulu, Mwine Lubemba Kanyanta-Manga II. He was ascended to the throne in 2013.

t16/ The Bemba traditionaly believe the existence of a single God, LEZA. The missionaries converted many Bemba to Christianity, however, most practice both.

t17/ In August, the annual Ukusefya Pa Ngwena traditional festival takes place in Mungwi District to recreate the Bemba migration to Zambia.

t18/ During the ceremony, The Chitimukulu is carried on a throne made of paper mache crocodile.

t19/ There is drumming, dancing, food & drink aplenty.

t20/ The Bemba of Luwingu District celebrate the Mukulapembe ceremony, also in August, under Senior Chieftainess Chunga . 📸

t21/ The local village entertainer, Chamokoka, at the Mukulapembe ceremony.

t22/ Entertainer at the Mukulapembe ceremony.

t23/ Drummers at the Mukulapembe ceremony.

t24/ A young girl keeps her shoes safe during the Mukulapembe ceremony.