Culture

Zambia's present-day culture exhibits a blend of historical and cultural features from the past as well as the present. Traditional African practices and understandings continue to influence many aspects of Zambian culture, mainly in how people act towards elders, marriage guidance and ceremonies. For example, at a funeral, women show support to the grieving family by wailing uncontrollably upon arrival at the funeral gathering - usually at the decedent's house. However, after the ceremony, they can be found joking and greeting long forgotten family members.

The impact of the colonial era can also be seen in the lives of the people. Having been self-sufficient for centuries, surviving on the land, the Europeans introduced the concept of living independently of tribal organisations. New laws, ways of living and jobs had to be created to cope with this. Some families adapted well to this, but others continue to languish in semi rural-urban existence.