Zambia, a diverse nation in Africa, is home to 73 distinct tribes, each contributing to the rich cultural fabric of the country.
Among these tribes, the Bemba stands out as the largest, constituting approximately 36 percent of the population.
With their unique history and captivating traditions, the Bemba tribe holds a significant place within Zambia.
In this article, we delve into the intriguing world of the Bemba people, exploring their heritage, customs, and contributions to the vibrant culture of Zambian society.
About the Bemba People
The Bemba people are a significant Bantu ethnic group residing primarily in Zambia’s Northern, Luapula, Muchinga, and Northern Central provinces.
They migrated to present-day Zambia before 1740 by crossing the Luapula River from Kola. While there are other ethnic groups in the Northern and Luapula regions of Zambia with similar languages, they do not share a common origin with the Bemba.
The Bemba community established villages consisting of 100 to 200 individuals and numbered around 250,000 in 1963.
Among the Bemba, there is a ruling class known as Abena Ng’andu, tracing their ancestry back to Mbemba Nshinga, who ruled Kongo from 1509 to 1543.
The traditional leader of the Bemba people is called the Chitimukulu. The Bemba holds significant historical importance in the development of chieftainship within a culturally cohesive region of Central Africa.
It is important to distinguish between Bemba-speaking peoples and ethnic Bemba people. The Bemba community is comprised of 18 clans.
These clans played a crucial role in preventing the northward advancement of the Ngoni people, who were descendants of the Nguni and Sotho-Tswana groups, under the leadership of Chief Chileshe Chitapankwa Muluba.
The history of the Bemba people shares more similarities with the tribes of East Africa than with other tribes in Zambia.
The Europeans misinterpreted the Bemba’s origin from Kola, assuming it referred to Angola. According to oral Bemba folklore, their origins are traced back to a woman named Mumbi Mukasa, who fell from heaven and had long ears.
Interestingly, similar folklore and traditions are found among the Kikuyu people in Kenya, including their traditional hut-building techniques.
The Bemba language also contains a rich vocabulary that includes words related to deserts and camels, which suggests their knowledge of regions beyond Angola.
The history and cultural heritage of the Bemba people provide valuable insights into the dynamics of Central African societies, with their unique migration patterns, social structure, and linguistic influences from both within and beyond the region.
History
The Bemba people, a Bantu ethnic group residing in Zambia, hold a captivating history that dates back to the 15th century.
This intriguing journey begins with the Portuguese expedition led by Diego Cam in 1484-1485, when the Bemba first encountered European explorers at the Kingdom of Kongo near the Congo River.
While there is no comprehensive account of Bemba history, fragments of their past have been painstakingly pieced together.
This includes oral traditions, historical records of colonial ventures, European influences in the region, references to notable Bemba individuals, connections with other Central African kingdoms, and previous scholarly research focused on the Bemba people.
Diego Cam’s expedition marked the initial contact between the Portuguese and the Kongo Kingdom, a vast realm encompassing parts of present-day Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Congo-Brazzaville.
The ruling monarch of the Kongo Kingdom during that time was Nzinga a Nkuwu, also known as Nshinga among the Bemba.
The Kongo monarchy held significant influence, with Nzinga being baptized as João I (John I) by Catholic missionaries in 1491.
The Portuguese presence in the Kongo Kingdom increased over time, leading to tensions and the eventual rebellion of a breakaway group from the Bemba community.
These rebels migrated eastward, integrating into the Luba Kingdom in present-day Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, another rebellion in the 17th century prompted further movement eastward, resulting in the emergence of the Bemba as a distinct group.
Led by Nkole and Chiti, sons of Luba King Mukulumpe, they carried with them the rich heritage of their mother, Mumbi Lyulu Mukasa from the Bena-Ng’andu clan.
The Bena-Ng’andu clan holds a special place in Bemba culture, with the crocodile serving as their totemic symbol.
The proto-Bemba settled in various regions, crossing rivers and establishing settlements along the way.
Their migrations ceased when they reached Ng’wena, which became the first capital of the Bemba Kingdom.
From this point onward, the Bemba had a single paramount chief or king who governed their expanding territory.
Notably, during the reign of the 22nd Chitimukulu in the late 18th century, the Bemba Kingdom witnessed increased expansion, pushing other groups such as the Lungu people to relocate.
During the Bantu Migration, which occurred from the 15th to the 17th centuries, the Bemba tribe embarked on a significant journey into what is now Zambia, leaving behind the Luba Kingdom in present-day Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to legend, Mukulumpe, the chief of the Luba tribe, married Mumbi Lyulu Mukasa, a woman from the crocodile clan known as Ng’andu.
Their sons, Chiti, Nkole, and Katongo, along with their sister Chilufya, fled the Luba kingdom following a disagreement.
As the Bemba sought to expand their kingdom, they engaged in raids on smaller tribes, acquiring land, resources, and even women.
Over time, both Nkole and Chiti passed away and were laid to rest in Mwalule, which has become a sacred burial ground for Bemba chiefs, known as Chitimukulu.
Chilufya’s son assumed the role of chief, establishing a matrilineal system of royal succession that remains in place to this day.
Eventually, the Bemba found their permanent settlement in the present-day Northern Province of Zambia.
It is said that they chose this location after encountering a deceased crocodile, which they interpreted as a favorable omen.
They named their capital Ngwena, meaning “crocodile.” Present-day Bemba society comprises 40 clans, each with its own unique identifiers and characteristics, contributing to the diverse tapestry of Bemba culture.
As we explore the captivating history of the Bemba people, it is essential to acknowledge the intricate threads that connect them to the Kongo Kingdom and their enduring legacy as a culturally significant ethnic group in Central Africa.
Through historical fragments and scholarly endeavors, we can piece together the remarkable journey of the Bemba, celebrating their rich heritage and contributions to the tapestry of Zambian society.
Culture
This upholds their rich heritage and traditions through various cultural ceremonies and practices.
One such event is the annual Ukusefya Pa Ngwena festival held in Mungwi District. During this vibrant celebration, the revered Chitimukulu (Chief) is carried on a throne resembling a crocodile made of paper mache.
This festive gathering takes place in August and serves as a testament to the tribe’s migration history. Another noteworthy ceremony is the Mukula Pembe festival, observed by the Bemba community in Luwingu district, also in August.
These cultural events serve as a means to honor and preserve the Bemba customs and beliefs. In the past, initiation ceremonies were significant rites of passage for both males and females as they reached puberty.
The female initiation, known as ‘Chisungu,’ involved various rituals. However, due to Western influences and the spread of Christianity, many of these practices have diminished, with some ceremonies now taking place solely before marriage.
For example, women preparing for marriage may hire ‘chimbusa,’ traditional counselors who offer guidance on various aspects of married life.
Men have an equivalent called ‘Shibukombe.’ Additionally, a ‘Kitchen Party,’ a formal event showering the bride-to-be (‘nabwinga’) with gifts, marks the woman’s ‘coming out’ ceremony before marriage.
Marriage customs among the Bemba involve a series of rituals and exchanges. When a man intends to marry a woman, he presents plates called ‘tumbale,’ filled with money or ‘insalamu,’ to the woman’s family.
This gesture parallels the concept of seeking a woman’s hand in marriage in Western culture.
Once the marriage offer is accepted, the plates are returned to the man, filled with food, in a practice known as ‘Chisekele Nsalamu.’ A bride price, called ‘mpango,’ is then agreed upon.
Pre-wedding festivities include ‘Icilanga Mulilo,’ a buffet held for the groom. This event showcases the bride’s culinary skills, symbolizing her ability to prepare a variety of meals, and signifies that the groom is welcome to dine at his in-laws’ home.
After several years of a happy marriage, it is customary for a woman’s family to express gratitude to her husband by organizing a ‘Matebeto,’ a grand feast featuring an abundance of food.
Another pre-wedding tradition, ‘Ukonkola’ or ‘granting authority,’ involves the bride’s parents preparing a meal for the groom, symbolizing his authority to make decisions on behalf of the bride’s family.
Traditional Bemba identity was marked by facial scars called ‘mpoloto,’ typically made on the temples of infants using a sharp blade.
These scars were believed to protect children from evil spirits. Bemba names often have a unisex nature, with common examples such as Musonda, Mulenga, and Bwalya.
The Bemba also has a rich collection of myths, many of which revolve around water bodies. For instance, residents near the Chishimba Falls hold a belief in a spirit called Mutumuna, composed of a brother and sister who are said to have descended from the sky.
Through their cultural practices, ceremonies, and mythical narratives, the Bemba tribe cherishes their distinct identity and passes down their traditions from one generation to the next, keeping their heritage alive.
Language
The Bemba language, known as Ichibemba, is closely related to several other Bantu languages. Its closest linguistic relatives include Kiswahili in East Africa, Kaonde in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Luba in the DRC, Nsenga, and Nyanja/Chewa in Zambia and Malawi.
In Zambia, Chibemba is primarily spoken in the Northern, Luapula, and Copperbelt Provinces. However, it should be noted that Bemba is not an indigenous language of the Copperbelt region.
Also read: 10 Zambian Wedding Customs That You Might Not Be Familiar With
Instead, the Copperbelt is home to the Lenje, Lamba, and Sala languages, which are part of the Bantu Botatwe language group.
To summarize, Ichibemba, the Bemba language, shares linguistic similarities with Kiswahili, Kaonde, Luba, Nsenga, and Nyanja/Chewa.
While Bemba is widely spoken in the Northern, Luapula, and Copperbelt Provinces of Zambia, it is important to recognize that other indigenous languages, such as Lenje, Lamba, and Sala, are prevalent in the Copperbelt region.
Source
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/zambia/articles/an-introduction-to-zambias-bemba-tribe/
