Zakado - Intantiko Nobuteko by Ishiwi

Preserving and Promoting Cultural Identity Pt 1

Chikuni Tonga Music Festival

By Matongo Maumbi
The moment the first home-made string vibrates through the sound system, one cannot manage suppressing a joyous smile from the face, forgetting the tens of kilometres walked to witness a show like no other. Ululations, bleating and cheers fill the air, signifying a true moment of good days in a life of someone who values culture.  




This is the Chikuni Tonga Music Festival, dubbed Nkosaadi in Tonga. Started in the year 2000, it has now become the beacon of traditional music restoration in the Southern regionof Zambia.

The more than 10,000 spectators always have a memorable time of revisiting their culture.

Bringing back to life, those past times when they would converge in similar gatherings under the bright moon and sound the drums of Nkosaadi (concert) and Nkaangakaye (children’s night games); the plays that used to bring harmony among the Tonga and watered their culture to fullness; chewing up all those vices that would otherwise have cracked society to
death.

Over the years, the concert has brought renowned Tonga drummers and string pullers
together as brothers and sisters, not adversaries. People go ‘hail’ to the jives of Kalindula (a
local classical lyric), new to the Tonga string system but incorporated in its tunes – for
culture is dynamic.

Renowned Zambian Guitarist, ‘Sir’ Jones Kabanga, a couple of years ago said even though
he had “never attended the Nkosaadi, from the pictures I say it's the only festival that we have that is well organized and the music that is played there is hundred percent Tonga!”
“Yes! We have always used music to educate and remind ourselves where we are coming
from, where we are and where we are going to! The festival to me does that!”

The Tonga Music Festival is critical as “local culture is disappearing at an alarmingly fast rate, humanity is heading towards a mono-culture - and that is a sad place to be! We need cultural diversity on this planet!” laments Michael Baird, Zambian born musician and founder of Sharp Wood Production (SWP) in the Netherlands.

Just like Chikuni Radio, Michael seeks out exponents of various indigenous styles in the
bush. With his educated musical ear, he feels “the Chikuni Tonga Music Festival is a beacon
of light that shows the rest of Zambia - and in surrounding countries - the way. This event
presents local music culture and makes the Tonga and Ila proud of their roots.”

The biggest discovery of the earlier Concerts are groups like Mashombe Blue Jeans, Green
Mamba, Short Mazabuka, Bana Haampongo and many others. These bands went on to
produce more a couple of albums, much to the delight and satisfaction of Tonga music
lovers. It marked the beginning of discovering of many other musical talents. An idea of
producing audio tape emerged with the station producing more than 70 albums promoting
local talent. This offered a source of income for both the musicians, and the radio station.
The production and sale of music lasted a few years until piracy killed the business. A source
of income depleted. Music could not sell any more as the pirates flooded the market with
much cheaper, though poor quality, copies.

However, the greatest tragedy for (Tonga) culture is the fact that there is no proper
custodian for it where all the young could look up to. As evidenced in the early years of
staging the festival, the young begun to learn and appreciate the Tonga culture. A fifteen-
year-old boy scooped first prize in the Kuyabila category, which is mainly performed by
elderly people. The boy also went further to represent the country under the Music
Crossroads Southern Africa in Malawi.

Every culture in the world has a musical tradition, and nature and environment is an intrinsic part of it. While music exists in every human society, its meaning and place is culturally determined and the function of music also differs from culture to culture. Differences in techniques, instruments, languages, forms, and, again, environment have yielded a wealth of musical styles. If a culture is to remain the driving force of any kind of society, something has to be done to safeguard against its erosion by foreign cultures or just simple 'loss of memory.'

“Having started recording music in Southern Province back in 1996,” Michael Baird strongly
feels “it is apparent that there are bad influencers for local culture.”

Tonga Traditional Music is very rich and diverse, but it is also in a state of constant transition in which much of the traditional music has been lost and new music has been introduced, which elders would consider as a sad departure from the traditional music which they knew.

Michael warns that “local music is under threat from what I call the MTV-Syndrome: once young people have seen the decadence of a gangsta-rap video, they are seduced and no
longer retain any pride in their own roots and identity. A tree without roots will soon fall
down.”

With no culturally appropriate alternatives, young people are left to form their own ideas about social norms and livelihoods from the (social) media. What these portray social norms and livelihoods is not so accurate nor helpful and only serves to fuel myths, misconceptions and attitudes that promote unrealistic expectations from (young) community members.

Journalist Charles Mafa said “this is not just a musical festival, it is a platform to share the Tonga cultural heritage through music and dance.”

Hans Christian Anderson once said “where words fail, music speaks.” The BaTonga people have found an avenue to speak through music, reliving the old days.

Charles recalls that “on a Friday, the first day of the musical festival, Tonga patriots and others begin to assemble for the two-day annual musical festival. Individuals from the Tonga
ethnic group and others gathered beneath the grey heavens to partake in the music and
dance that define them as a people. One by one, individuals and groups take to the podium
to participate in the musical concert.”

To Be Continued.....

“Kolyaambilila bakusilike…” Open Up And Be Treated

I have not updated my blog for quite some time. I have no good reason to give to you. I apologise. I will work on improving and ensure that at least every week I have something new on the page.

By Matongo Maumbi

Today I have been thinking about something which is affecting a lot of people, especially those that are privileged to be educated. Sad part is, they are ‘knowingly’ dying in numbers. Why is it so?

I remember a few years ago when we were burying a friend of ours, one of the mourners (who never went to school) remarked that the illiterate will always be burying the literate.

He may have said it comically, but indeed many of the educated people get to be buried almost every day. And guess who is there to give them a good send off? The so-called illiterates.

Since 2011, my call-back ringing tone is a song by Kalonda Band, titled Kalonda from Sinazeze in Southern Province. Simply translates it’s a sore, small one for that matter. In this song, Kalonda Band encourage people to come forth when they get sick instead of hiding and end up killing themselves.

“Kolyaambilila bakusilike…” Open up so that you can be treated. It does not get any simpler than that. (Medical) people can only help you if you come open about the ailments you may have. Without disclosing to anyone, then you are on a path of self-destruction.

I have a witnessed several learned colleagues, who, knowing very well that they exposed themselves to HIV infection, decide to ignore and move on with life as though they did not risk themselves.

I strongly believe that knowledge is power. Once you know, you will have the power to drive your course of life in a comfortable way with help from people around you.

Sad part is that those of us who have been to school, decide to stigmatise against ourselves. Self-stigma has led to an ‘early’ grave for most of my brothers and sisters. It has grown so much that someone would rather be bedridden than seek treatment.

What is so scary about HIV that you would rather hide than seek treatment?

And here I do not mean going round with a megaphone announcing your status to everyone you meet. Not at all.

When you know you have been exposed (for starters, everyone who has unprotected sex is exposed to the risk), you owe it to yourself to check your status. And once you know, share with somebody and do the other necessary tests to begin your treatment if need be. Here am focusing on when you are found positive.

Confide in someone. Seek guidance and treatment. And it is also good to let your sexual partner(s) know about your status. We still have people that will keep such information in confidence. And we have a lot of treatment options.

When it comes to diseases like Malaria, flu and the likes, we announce to the world even before being asked. And these are deadlier than being positive. The virus can be managed to prevent it maturing to life threatening conditions.

Do not think too much about what people will say of you, rather think of how helpful the good ones will be. A friend that knows your status will be a great buddy to you. S/he will be in a better position to support you than if s/he does not know.

The good thing is no matter how many people get to know, get to say bad about you, the power to have a positive mindset is all vested in you. When you find yourself in such a condition, think of it as a time to restart your life with positive lifestyle.

Whether you hide or not, at the end of the day, you are the only person who will feel the impact of not getting support or treatment on time.

I have lost many friends because they just could not accept that their status was positive. They kept on lying to themselves that the results were fake, continued putting their lives at greater risk, never sought treatment and worse of all put the blame on jealous by others. Witchcraft is what most claim.

Love yourself, Stop self-stigmatization. You have a lot to live for.

monopoly, pricing cartels, taxation and the wheel of retailing.

My good friend Sibbuku just said "First, Google the following definations; monopoly, pricing cartels, taxation and the wheel of retailing.

You will understand how Cement producers were economically raping the poor Zambian masses while smiling all the way to the bank.

The big question is - how come Chilanga Cement reduced their product from K95.00 to K56.00 and have continued functioning and yet they have not declared anyone redundant, they have not gone bankrupt???!!
How come?

The answer is that they may simply have reduced their unnecessary overhead costs,
Let go of the premium price they were charging as a cement cartel and joined DANGOTE in rendering a fair service to the poor Zambians who deserve a roof on top of their heads.

So, believe now that the price of fertiliser CAN come down by over 50%... resulting in an equivallent reduction on the price of mealie meal.

Same applies to the cost Electricity and fuel which are both primary ingredients into any productive business you can think of.

When we talk about reducing the cost of doing business, it is not rocket science... it is as simple as that - reduce input costs and demolish the TAX BARRIER so that raw materials flow in duty free! DANGOTE is enjoying a tax holiday, thus their  production costs are lower! GRZ can level the playing field and apply that holiday across ALL  manufacturers and the benefit will go to US the poor Zambians... simple as that!!
It requires GOVERNMENT to act, not some rich men somewhere,  no. GRZ!!

Talkind about tax barriers - Doesn't it shock you that in Zambia we literally charge 100% duty on imported vehicles yet we do not even manufacturer a fuel filter - which is simply tin and paper??!! What does that import tax protect? If it is 'anti-dumping' (Google it) why not regulate the age of the vehicles we allow into the country and scrap duty on imported vehicles?
That law on vehicle import tax was enacted when Zambia had Livingstone Motor Assembly, Rover Zambia, LENCO, etc all assembling cars locally.  These closed down decades ago but successive governments have maintained it as a source of income!

Now, to fulfill the need for mobility Zambians are forced to import 20 year old Toyota corollas which will attract the least amount of import duty (and may have excessive carbon emissions).
The head of GRZ is the President, so we do not expect the President to accuse citizens of managing  (or mismanaging) the economy on his behalf. He is in charge and must be seen to know what he is doing.

e.g.  When President Chiluba realised how bad the public transport sector was doing, he suspended duty on Buses for one year - immediately all old models like DCM, DAF, AVM and other 'death trap' busses dissappeard!!! In came nice new busses with TV screens on board! Passangers could enjoy  free cold  coke on board an Intercity bus as opposed to the slavery and brutality they endured from UBZ (hope you are old enough to understand what I am talking about).

Economics and Marketing is not rocket Science but not easy for everyone to understand... especially if you think GBM can reduce the price of mealie meal on his own."

Travel Media Association of Zambia - Join

Are you a writer, journalist, reporter, photographer, filmer, blogger, or broadcaster? Join the Travel Media Association Zambia, a voluntary association that seeks to add media voice to the tourism industry in Zambia. 

Our next stop is the Zambia Travel Expo at Mulungushi International Conference from 21 - 23 May. 

There after it's a trip to South Luangwa. In between we have a free blog training for those who want to take their writing online for free. If you are interested get in touch with Brian Matambo on 0973822676, available on WhatsApp.