Namwanga
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Namwanga is the name of a Bantu language spoken in the Northern province of Zambia.[1]
Namwanga is also used as the name of the ethnic group who speak the language.
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[edit] The Namwanga language
The Namwanga people, who are also referred to as 'Winamwanga' mainly live in the two districts of Isoka and Nakonde. The Namwanga language is similar to the Mambwe language spoken by the Mambwe people of Mbala and Mpulungu districts and the Lungu people also found in Isoka. The Namwanga language is also spoken in Tanzania, north of Zambia. Other similar smaller tribes include the Lambyas, the Nyikas and the Wandyas.
The senior chief of the Namwanga people is known as Nawaitwika based in Nakonde district. The current Waitwika is a woman, therefore, referred to as chieftainess. Other chiefs are Kafwimbi, Muyombe and Mwenechifungwe are all based in Isoka District. The main traditional ceremonies practiced by the Namwangas is called Vikamkanimba, Ng’ondo, Chambo Chalutanga and Mulasa.
[edit] The People
The Namwangas are said to have orinally migrated from the Tanzania north of Zambia. They are pastoral matrilineal people. This means that assets left by a dead male person would go to his nephews on his mother's side. Modern Namwangas tend to overlook some of these traditional requirements and would leave their assets to their own children.
[edit] Unique Names
Namwangas have unique surnames. All the female surnames begin with Na while all the male names begin with Si. Unlike other tribes in Zambia who use such names prefixes to mean 'father-of' or 'mother-of', the Namwangas have the prefixes fixed with their surnames. Therefore common surnames are Siwale with Nawale and Namwila for females, Simukonda and Namukonda, Sichalwe etc. Similar names such as Sikazwe may also be found amongst the Mambwes of Mpulungu and Mbala districts.
[edit] Foods
Namwangas are agriculturalists who grow millet, peanuts, beans, maize and are pastoralists who keep cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigeons. Traditionally, The Namwangas are fondly known for their love for a slippery vegetable prepared with baking soda or charcoal ashes which is called 'kumbi' in Namwanga or 'delele' in other Zambian languages like Nyanja. The 'Kumbi' is usually mixed with beans and is served with Nshima (a thick maize meal porridge) or as a snack to visitors.
[edit] Courtship and Marriage
The concept of courtship before marriage is traditionally non-existent but in reality it happens as a secret affair. Traditionally, a Namwanga man is the one who seeks out a woman to marry. It is a taboo for a woman to seek out a man for marriage. The intending man will give a girl/woman some money or beads commonly referred to as 'Insalamu'.[2] The girl who accepts the nsalamu agrees to be married. If the parents of the man disapprove his choice, the man is forced to look for another suitor. In the case where a man gets a girl pregnant before marriage, the man is required to pay damages on top of regular dowry payments. These payments are in the form of cattle or the cash equivalent.
[edit] Religion
Most Namwangas are evangelicals belonging to the United Church of Zambia (UCZ). Others belong to common religious groups such as the Catholic Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the African Methodist Church.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Lee S. Bickmore (2000). Downstep and fusion in Namwanga. Cambridge Journals (Cambridge University Press). Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
- ^ Lois Pearce (2007). African Culture & Tradition. Wedding Details, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
