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Category Archives: Tradition
Farewell to Zambia
A Village in Africa has finally come to a close. This short video looks back on some of the highlights of my month in Zambia, and the text below is a copy of the farewell feature that appeared in today’s … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture, Children, Culture, Development, Education, Farming, HIV/AIDS, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Poverty, Tradition, Zambia
Tagged agriculture, blog, children, farming, makwatata, self help africa, tradition, zambia
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Chief postpones initiation ceremonies in bid to prevent teen pregnancy, early marriage and spread of HIV
On one of my last evenings in Makwatata, more than 40 women of all ages from the village gathered together to show me what happens during an initiation ceremony, the rite of passage performed for every Ngoni girl when she … Continue reading
Free education boosts school attendance, but strained resources are failing to improve standards
The introduction of free primary education for all children in 2002 has made a significant difference to the lives of children all over Zambia. There are now three and a half million children between the ages of 7 and 15 … Continue reading
Posted in Children, Education, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Poverty, Tradition, Zambia
Tagged agriculture, charity, children, community, education, opportunity, rural, self help africa, zambia
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Upholding traditional law in Mfumbeni chiefdom
In Mfumbeni, traditional and judicial law are distinct but interlinking entities. Opposite Chief Nzamane’s palace, there is a small court house where judicial cases are heard in front of a judge. This court house is run by the state, and … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Development, Education, Farming, Poverty, Tradition, Zambia
Tagged justice, law, poverty, rural community, self help africa, tradition, tribal custom, zambia
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Chitelele
Chitelele is a dance performed by women in all villages at all social occasions in Mfumbeni. The women of almost every village I have visited during my time here have come together to greet me or say goodbye using this … Continue reading
Posted in Children, Culture, Tradition, Women, Zambia
Tagged custom, dance, rural community, self help africa, tradition, tribal, women, zambia
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Traditional birth attendants deliver new life in rural areas
As a traditional birth attendant, Christina Chulu has assisted in the delivery of approximately 500 babies in the villages surrounding Makwatata over the past fifteen years. “I am on duty 24 hours a day,” she says. “When a woman goes … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Development, Education, Health, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Poverty, Tradition, Women, Zambia
Tagged agriculture, childcare, health, maternal health, mdgs, opportunity, poverty, self help africa, services, zambia
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Father determined to send daughters to university despite challenges
“Society has deprived our women of a proper education. I want things to be different for my girls.” Lanford Mulauzi has three daughters. The first born was married last year to a teacher at the local school in Chikando village, … Continue reading
Posted in Children, Culture, Development, Education, Enterprise, Poverty, Tradition, Women, Zambia
Tagged discrimination, education, girls, marriage, mdgs, opportunity, parent, poverty, rural community, self help africa, tradition, women, zambia
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Making a house a home in Makwatata
With just two small rooms and two tiny windows, a simple stool and a reed mat for a bed, my house in Makwatata is typical of those lived in by young families. Indeed, it was the home of Mike Nyewali … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture, Culture, Development, Poverty, Tradition, Zambia
Tagged agriculture, community, home, makwatata, poverty, self help africa, training, zambia
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Neighbouring villages united in their love of football
The sun is beginning to hang heavy in the sky at 3.30pm as 22 already sweaty men run out onto Chilobwe’s football pitch, to the whoops and chants from the crowd on either side of the field. Chilobwe are playing … Continue reading
Posted in Children, Culture, Development, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Poverty, Tradition, Zambia
Tagged children, community, competition, entertainment, music, rivalry, rural, self help africa, soccer, sport, village, zambia
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The burden of care for children falls on struggling grandparents
Tigua Lungu and her husband Madson Miranzi take care of ten grandchildren at their home on the edge of Makwatata village. They are among tens of thousands of grandparents all over Zambia who are responsible for providing primary care to … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Development, Education, Health, Poverty, Tradition, Women, Zambia
Tagged children, education, family, grandparent, HIV, opportunity, poverty, rural community, self help africa, support, zambia
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A Village in Africa 