Lamba people (Zambia)

According to Clement M. Doke, the Lamba kingdom' (chiefdom) is estimated to have been established in the 16th century, between 1585 – 1889. The founder of the tribe is believed to have been a female known as Chembo Kasako Chimbala. She was the youngest wife of the Great King Mwati Yamvwa of the Luba-Lunda kingdom; she did not accept being part of a polygamous marriage, so she fled with her son Chembo and settled in what is today known as: Lambaland (Ilamba) on the Copperbelt at Nkashiba Kabena Mofya (Lake of the Mofya clan), commonly known as St Anthony because the Catholics built a church there. The Kingdom grew and spread into the Southern part of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the Katanga Province, a province equally rich in copper. Therefore, whether you are in Zambia or in DRC, the copperbelt of both countries is squarely Lambaland (Ilamba).

Lamba is ‘the act of humbling oneself’. The Lambas are generally very humble people in nature. ‘The people are divided into a number of exogamous clans and the clan descent is matrilineal. The Lambas may be described as hunting agriculturists. Physically, they are of medium built and remarkably robust and strong. Linguistically the Lambas belong to the Central Bantu Group of which ubulamba is a typical example. Their language is remarkably rich in folk- and proverb-lore and they take great delight in talking. Practically every Lamba is a born orator, unafraid to voice his views, no matter what size the assembly may be’ (Doke 1931: 28-29).

Ruling clans There is one main ruling clan namely: Abena Mishishi (hair clan) The following are Abena Mishishi chiefs of Ilamba (Lambaland):

Abena kashishi (rope clan)

Abena Nyendwa (Leg Clan)

Abena Nsoka (Serpent clan)

Abena Bwali (Nshima clan)

In total there are 25 Lamba chiefs: 4 female chiefs and 13 male chiefs in Zambia and 8 chiefs in the DRC. In the past, the chief had the power of life and death and in certain circumstances he/she would order someone to be jailed, executed or be sold into slavery and that was without doubt. That authority was inherited and overtime that has been enshrined in all of the people that have grown up in that culture. Despite many years of urbanization, the Lambas still maintain their culture and traditions. However to understand their practices; one must analyze them through the lenses of the Lambas themselves.

As early as 1931, Doke had the following confession to make about the Lambas:

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