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Mambwe-Lungu of Zambia
Religion: African Traditional Religion
Population: 262,000
Life Cycle
Children are very important among the Mambwe. The importance of having children, especially male children cannot be over stressed. Barrenness is seen as a curse and can bring many problems within a marriage. Divorce or the taking of a second wife are not uncommon when a couple is childless. Witch doctors are often consulted to provide "medicine" to overcome the problem of barrenness.
Every Mambwe child must have what is known as an "umbilical cord name" or izina iyapankombo which is usually given by the grandparents or another senior member of the family. The "umbilical cord name" is usually that of a deceased member of the family. The dead person is thought to return through the newborn.
Babies may continue to breastfeed for two years or longer unless the mother becomes pregnant. If a baby's mother becomes pregnant, the child is weaned for its own protection. There is great fear that a baby who breastfeeds from a pregnant mother may die.
A man who desires to be wed approaches the woman he wants to marry, along with her family. in times past, this is used to be done through go between. In recent years, the man has taken this role himself. A go-between, however, assists in arranging the marriage. A Mambwe usually marries within his tribe. The bridegroom gives money to the parents of the bride in appreciation and to demonstrate that the two have agreed to be married. The bride price is then given to the betrothal leading up to the wedding, an older woman or Nachimbuza teaches the intended bride everything she needs to know about marriage and the home. This woman becomes responsible for the bride as long as she lives.
The day before the wedding, the groom arrives at the bride's home where they both receive orientation about marriage. Music usually continues throughout the night. The next day the bride goom waits for the bride outside her home. The brewing of beer in preparation for the wedding ceremony is very important. When the bride finally emerges, there is a great celebration. The man and woman then sit together and are officially married. From there, the bridegroom leaves his bride and returns to his home. The bride follows later. They spend the night together as the celebration continues. Again the next day, the bride and groom are instructed in what is expected of them. The bride then returns to her home where the groom finds her the next day.
The purpose of marriage is to have children. Since the Mambwe are patrilineal, the male children are to be preferred over female because they will carry on the family name. Girls are not usually encouraged to go to school. They may marry as soon as they are mature. The husband exercises authority over his household. Polygamy is not uncommon. Separation is virtually unknown. Divorce comes as a result of a number of problems, the chief of which is childlessness.
Household Habits
Nsima is the staple food among the Mambwe as it is throughout Zambia. Beans and okra are the most common relish. The Mambwe are very careful about hygiene.
Public Life
Mambwe is the only language spoken in the village, but it is mixed with Bemba in larger towns like Mbala. Near Lake Tanganyika, a mixture of Mambwe and Swahili is spoken. Bemba is the language of instruction in the schools.
The Mambwe are generally a hardworking people. Like many in Zambia, they make their living from agriculture and fishing. The most important crops are maize and beans. Because of various hardships associated with farming in recent years, some have turned to selling kapeta and beans. There is very little industry of any kind.
Mambwes are very friendly and enjoy entertaining guests whether from other tribes or even foreigners. When a visitor comes into a Mambwe area he is generally well received and the Mambwe will try to speak his language until he learns theirs. The Mambwe have a strong sense of tribal identity which they want to maintain. Intermarriage with other tribes is discouraged. Jealousy in regard to others within the tribe is common.
Instructions to Children
Mambwe children learn most of what they need to know about life from their parents and elders. they are taught directly as well as by proverbs and to a lesser degree by folk tales. Parents, however, cannot talk to their children about sex. They must receive this instruction from grandparents. Children learn about customs mostly by observation. Every elder has the responsibility of correcting a young person who goes against culture.
Kinship is very important among the Mambwe especially in relation to death. An older person who dies must have a successor who is appointed by the close family members of the deceased. This successor shares in the inheritance.
Cultural Structures
The Mambwe are very particular about their housing. They usually build large rectangular houses with burned bricks and thatched roofs. Kitchens are usually round and built separately from the main house. By the time a boy is fifteen years old, he will build his own house and will live separately from his parents. although he will still eat with his family.
Women and mature girls wear either vitenge or long dresses because it is a taboo for a man to see their thighs. Men wear trousers or even shorts. Older men wear headcoverings called vitambala. Old men like to wear hats.
The Supernatural
Although there are very few evangelicals among the Mambwe, Christianity has had an influence among them. Consequently, some people believe that the saved go to heaven and the unsaved go to hell after they die. Most people, however, including "Christians" believe that the dead return to earth. The wicked return as ghosts to torment the living. The good return as benevolent spirits to protect and help their family. This is why babies are named after their deceased relatives.
Witch doctors claim to have the power to communicate with the dead, so they are consulted in times of trouble. The Mambwe are very suspicious of each other. Every mysterious action must have a cause. People do not die natural deaths. Nearly every death is the result of being bewitched. When someone is accused of something but claims to be innocent, he is taken to the witch doctor who will give him medicine. If he is guilty, then whatever the witch doctors says will take place will happen. If he is not guilty, then whatever the witch doctor says will not take place.
Long ago shrines were commonly visited for worship and prayer in times of trouble such as drought or when a mysterious death has occurred. Some older people still have secret places in the bush where they sometimes go to pray, that this practice is vanishing.
(Report based primarily on conversations with members of the Mambwe tribe although Nyiha and Nyamwanga were also consulted.)