By Wesley Ngwenya
This is a subject that continues to make headlines in Zambia especially with our politicians. I am not going to focus on what the politicians are saying or not saying. But let me talk about my experiences interacting with Zambians of various backgrounds, here in Zambia, what they are saying about the Tongas. For some reasons when we talk about tribalism, in Zambia, the Tonga word is almost always in the same sentence. Should it really be like that? Here are the experiences;
No.1
I shared a house in Kabwata area with a single mother of five children. She was a marketeer at Soweto Market. Her ethnicity is Mambwe. During my year or so in that house I heard her make so many outrageous statements about the Tongas. One day, after she stated that Tongas were very selfish people and that is why she cannot vote for a Tonga person, I asked her to name five Tonga people that she knew who were selfish. She was taken unawares, so I helped her. “Can you think of a Tonga person who was your neighbour, workmate, in-law, friend, etc who you knew personally and was selfish?”, I asked. She could not think of any even after giving her several minutes. She later admitted that it was what people were saying. She grew up being told that. Imagine what her children were learning from her. Which brings me to my next experience.
No. 2
This took place when I was playing a basketball game with some guys in the neighborhood. During my break I was on the sideline with a group of 7 to 10 year olds who were watching the game. One boy remarked, “mwamu wona uja atamanga monga chi mutonga”.
In another incident, a group of 7 or 8 year old girls were walking just ahead of me when one girl said, “mutonga a vuta, sini ga kwatiliwe ku mutonga ine.”
No. 3
I was on a minibus headed into town. The bus stopped at a station where the conductor was waiting on some passengers who were not in a hurry to get on the bus. One of the two guys who were seated behind me in the backseat who were drinking chibuku remarked, “so fi tonga”. As if by reflex, I turned around and gave that guy a few blows.
No. 4
On a bus to Livingstone there was a fairly large woman seated a few seats in front of me but on the other side of the isle. I don’t know if she was looking for attention or what but she made several tribal remarks against the Tongas in Chibemba. Somewhere after Monze she was saying things like, “ba tonga oko be kala so kumushi” then later she said something about “ba tonga kushishita.” No one said a word on the bus. I certainly was not in the mood. Can you imagine what would happen to a Tonga making these remarks on a bus to Kashikishi?
These are only titbits of many stories that people on the ground are saying or not saying. It certainly is heartbreaking when you hear a seven year old making such tribal remarks. What does a seven year old know about Tongas? Tribalism in Zambia is deep rooted in our families. We entertain it and love to insult other ethnic groups. In my experience Tongas have been the victims of tribalism. I am yet to find a Tonga who says all these things about whoever. If they do maybe they do so in the confinements of their homes.
What really shocks me about these things is how people can have the courage to make such statements and get away with. Even more shocking is the silence. A person will insult Tongas or Lozis and yet no one stands up to reprimand such a person for the tribal remarks. Why? It is because it has become part of our culture to scorn the Tongas? How about if it were the Tongas who were making all these outrageous statements about other tribes? Will these statements be received with the same silence?
One does not have to be Tonga to respond to this. One just needs to be Zambian. Like I told the people on that bus after hitting that young man. Some started saying so “you are Tonga?” Well, you don’t need to be Tonga to be angry at such hatred against the Tongas. The issue of ethnicity in Zambia is still very rooted in our society. People are still judged by the language they speak or where they come from. We are still long ways to fighting tribalism in this country. We need a cultural revolution for many people to realize that we are all the same despite our various backgrounds. By the way, why don’t Tongas never speak out for themselves? Where are you hiding?
Interesting observation. I think the hatred for the tongas stems from jealousy. The tongas are generally hard working and successful people so the others resent them for that. This is a manifestation of witchcraft mentality or common amongst most Zambians.
its very simple Ba Ngwenya. Tongas are peace loving people and so all these comments are taken as jealous from people who can not be ecomonically independent. but i can assure you about one thing. if ever you would want hosnesty leadership, try them and you wont regret. as for thye scorn well let it continue and let people die out of frustration
Making degrading tribal remarks will not take this country any where. The other day I was very upset when a Namwanga colleague made reamrks that ” Iwe if you nevr went to school you would be a nyamazayi”. Other pipo have made it the same commercial, Whats wrong I think pipo must start thinking straight. Whether those who used to clean toilets where Luvales, Lundas, Chokwes etc does not matter. Those jobs were created and pipo perfomed and out of that their children worked hard never to do jobs like their fore fathers. Lets look at contribitions one us amking to mother zed. Tongas are not sleepy pipo as others may think. They are conservetive. You cant change them. Look at their MPs qualifications they lead. They are from a rural farming environment and are as good as any of God’s…
The examples provided above are very sad indeed and it makes you wonder how some people bring up their children. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that on the whole in Zambia there is a lot of ethnic integration. In Kenya, the different ethnic groups tend to socialise in different spaces even in the capital city of Nairobi. In Zambia quite a large percentage of the population is of mixed background – I do not have the statistics but could it be as high as 40% judging from my own family where I have at least one first-cousin from every province in the country? There are many people in the country whose grand-parents all come from different parts of the country and that is why it is now becoming obsolete to judge a person by their first or last names.
Am a zambian who grew up in Zambia and i really think youre just blowing it out of proportion. Bembas say things like that about their cousins from the east and it does not stem from hatred at all. Its all just banter. I have never heard (until you and your bus incident) about any actual violence towards someone of another tribe even Tonga’s. Zambians are not ones to hate each other and i fear people like you will start putting the idea of it moving from banter to actual hate.
And as for Tonga’s whome i have enough friends and have a child with one, they are not inocent in all this. Most prefer to keep to themselves especially when it comes to marriage and think in some way they are more superior to other zambain tribes and your little spat just proved it.
That is true why do people have to be stereotypical just because they had a bad experience with one person then they generalise I feel that is wrong people should not judge others based on their experience It is immature and disgusting.
You dont hear bembas or easteners complaining about all the things that are said about them. Even their names (Easteners) are a source of jokes in Zambia but its not taken to mean that they are hated or being segregated against in any way. Zambia is a peaceful place, lets not start making issues about things that are not really issues. i think the country has bigger problems and the best advise i can give is that when someone says something offensive to you about your tribe and it seems spiteful, tell the person saying it that you dont appreciate it and most likely they will apologise because like you said, most do it out of habit and not because they actually mean it.
Calm Down.
The fight against tribalism is done by tribalists themselves that is why it will never be won. I personally know a Director of a powerful NGO operating in Zambia who recently made a remark to the effect that she would rather get married to a someone from outside Zambia than a Tonga. If such civilised, sorry I meant globalised, and highly educated people are still sinking that low, then we are headed nowhere in this fight. Tribalists control media houses and will give anything to promote their tribes and downgrade rescented ones.
#1#2 Guys try to be real here and don’t bring in politics in everyt issue, #1bring up the solutions to this issue and Stop talking about jealuos here #2 be logical enough and look in all sides of the issue. I love this absvntion of Ngwenya and i thought pipo can come out with solutions, we knw pipo can be jealous but what is our way forward as zambians. How can you advice your children when they are not at peace in ur house? Can you tell one that ur brother is just jealous of u??? Come on guys it’s not politics now but it’s about our bad believes over one another. I’m a bemba i love tongas.
Tribalism is very much pronounced in Zambia. We see it in our every day life for example pattern of recruitment in most of the organizations and some schools and institutions of higher learning, pattern of voting; (supporting yo local team as it is referred) etc. Interestingly we have seen some regions of Zambia vote for candidates who don’t hail from their region (point of reflection)…..Its up to all of us to check our selves. What will change our thinking and society is not what we want people to think about us but what we do to people. We are all to blame for this.
“mwamu wona uja atamanga monga chi mutonga”.chi HH….hahaha
i had friends in class vi ba tonga too selffish though one was my best friend..and he used to tell me about the others and what they to say muma corner…viba tonga awe!!!
Those championing tribalism in the country need someone to change their mindsets. It’s sad some people can go to an extent of making strong statements like they cannot marry a Tonga. Come on my people! Are we not that uncivilised? Haven’t we heard names Like Mulenga Nyambe, Chileshe Hamudombe, or Hakwenda Banda? These are products of inter marriages and I wonder if such is not a good thing? I am Tonga and now making it public that I have been in a stable romantic relationship with a Bemba cultured lady for four years now. If we don’t end up in marriage, I will still look for someone outside the circles of Tonga tribe to make a wife. Let’s stop making such statements and instead lets unite and work together to develop our country. One Zambia One Nation. I salute you all.
The author is also exaggerating, 8 year old girls cant be talking about marriage. If thats the case then we have a problem. We need to find out why all or most tribes( as the author put it) have such perceptions about the Tongas.
tongas are tribalist ati only a tonga should replace mazoka!!!
even those tongas selling chalcoal in lusaka west they openly do it when are telling them to support Sata or RB…viba tonga iwe…even that chap on #1 he is a tribalist, i see his comments,
Sad indeed…..Now fellow citizens…i have noticed that tribalism is married to politics. In the following cases tribalism never raises its ugly head:
1.You are admitted to UTH and a doctor comes to check on you..would you even care to check his or her ethnic background..tonga, bemba,lozi???
2. The national soccer team scores a crucial goal….would you even try to find out the ethnic background of who has scored
i could go on and on……
But come elections especially at presidential level..Tribalism sets in
GOD SAVE ZAMBIA….
Well said # 12 It is too much.A relation of mine who was from a certain tribe was dating a man from another tribe and the young man actually told her that his old man would not approve of their liaison
i will better to have Chiluba back or having RB as the life president rather than to have a tonga as a president…never!!!
Pretending that there is no tribalism in Zambia won’t make the issue die away. You don’t need to read Ngwenya’s article to know about hatred against the tongas( and other tribes). Our politicians need to make pragmatic laws to root out this cancer which has been permeating our society since independence. Tribalism is like racism and we can learn a lot from the UK and South African initiatives to fight this illness. Zambians need to stop hiding behind tribal banter to perpertuate tribalism. Schools to introduce curriculums that promote tribal harmony and make it illegal to make tribal comments that hurt others feelings. Together we can fight tribalism and build a better society.
Why is this tribal colour slowly coming back in the Zambian language? Politicians are the beneficiaries. Divide and rule is what the politicians are doing. Even ba Banda is now trying to use it. when people re told about tribalism it quickly confuses them and they feel more attacked. Psychologically they stop analyzing matter and start thinking of their own. Even educated people will get confused and start basing choices on tribal lines. So before you get emotional think twice and check if you are being hypnotized into making tribal choices.
its important to clearly define tribalism so that we are actually talking the same thing. the issues described above are not unique to zambia. they are common to all our neighboring states. live with them and you will agree with me. I have also notice the its the same in the EU or Americas. i once stayed with someone from Nordic country who ill things to say about Americas(US).she made jokes about them.
so this issues is not as simple as we may think.
Why is this tribal colour slowly coming back in the Zambian language? Politicians are the beneficiaries. Divide and rule is what the politicians are doing. Even ba Banda is now trying to use it. when people re told about tribalism it quickly confuses them and they feel more attacked. Psychologically they stop analyzing matter and start thinking of their own. Even educated people will get confused and start basing choices on tribal lines. So before you get emotional think twice and check if you are being hypnotized into making tribal choices -.
I think there is a little bit of exaggeration and embellishment in this article!!!
I grew up in Zambia, lived around almost all different tribes in Zambia, went to school with nearly all the 72+ tribes represented, and things were said to one another about our tribes not out of spite or hate, but banter, like Dzithe @ 5 & 7 has already pointed out.
In fact I have brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc, who are married to people from all corners of Zambia, and their marriages are just as solid and loving as any other. Yet you still hear tribal banter going around. I am married to a beautiful Tonga/Lenje woman myself and I love her to death, but I have heard her say some stereotypes about other tribes, her husband’s (me) included. Even about her own tribe, Tonga/Lenje…
# 17 you are stupid
Who hates the Tongas please?? I do not like this generalisation kind of approach to discuss such matters. We should be able to distinguish jokes from serious business in specific circustances. If we take each and every comment about the Tongas as a tribalistic comment, then soon we will cease to enjoy our social living. Offcourse some cases are bad.
continue from #22….
…But that does not mean she does it out of hate or spite. I remember at school (High school) I had two best friends, one Tonga (Muleya) and the other Lozi (Mukelebai), and we used to tease each other all the time, but it never escalated to the point of wanting to get physical (fight) with each other. That is why I think the author is being a little too sensitive here.
For as long as tribalism is not used as the basis for one’s advancement or impediment in society, I say let us relax. Things we hear on the street that are said to one another are just that, “street talk and things of the street.” But if you get a job, legal advantage, political advantage, or educational advantage just because you belong to a certain tribe, then we have a problem!!
anyway……meanwhile its CECAFA and end of first half…….ZAMBIA 4 SOMALIA 0…….FELIX SUNZU JR HAT TRICK……..SO WHICH TRIBE IS SUNZU??
… I’m Bemba and I often hear comments like, Bembas are lazy and cannot farm, Bembas are thieves, Bembas talk too much etc. I know I’m neither lazy nor a thief, nor etc… This is just cheap talk and should not be taken seriously. It’s Friday Injikata, Make Love Not War! PEACE!
The root of all these incorrigible tribal hatred, xenophobia and jealous is one Michael Chilufya Sata and his bemba supremacism. Recall when Corporate executive icon and smart tycoon late Kambela Anderson Mazoka vied for an MMD ward seat in Bauleni which he won, Sata outrightly belabored to smear him a bad Zambia based on his tonga tribe. He said tongas should never aspire for power. He then maliciously chased him from MMD. When Andy founded his most success party UPND, Sata then called him a tribalist and Masonist maliciously. When Mazoka managed to get a national solidarity, Sata went on to call the people Western and North Western provinces as nyamazais he would exterminate or expel to Angola and would be never go there to solicit for votes because he could be president without them.
I have never experienced any negative tribalism in Zambia but have felt it so much only from bloggers on this site.
Its common in Lusaka to tease someone else as being ‘ Mumbwamumbwa’…………………is that tribalism or just a joke?
.ZAMBIA 5 SOMALIA 0…….FELIX SUNZU again—4 goals
When he meet and publicly crashed with late Mwanawasa in 2005 at the Presidents meeting organized by NDI in Lusaka, following Mwanawasa’s reaction in lamba of telling Sata off that i can beat you for insulting me, sata outrageously said, “use bemba not ifyo ifitundu tatufwa mu Zambia”. When did lamba become ifitundu alien to Zambia when when did it become unZambian not to speak Bemba?As if not enough, record exit and has been complied for placement in the media if need be to show that when Sata said at both Local Governments and Ministry of Health, he hatefully terminated every Westerner, Southerner, Easterner and North Westerner from these ministry and their parastatal jobs regardless of hoe qualified, years of service or value they carried.Sata is the embodiment of tribalism in Zed.
MMD HAVE encouraged tribalism so that the opposition vote is split along tribal lines ie Tongas will not vote for a Bemba candidate, Bembas will note vote for a Tonga. Like the 2008 Elections the MMD had a tie Breaker in the Lozis who did not feature a Presidential Candidate. Come 2011, Milupi will take 85% of the Lozi vote so it will be cleverest party that will win at lease 29% of the total vote cast.The MMD is banking on state machinery so they are sure they be picking a vote here and a vote there. All that KK built is THINGS FALL APART
#32
Patriot – Lier even ZNBC files dont have a tape on that.
The Central Committee of PF is a 97% composition bembastan. Sata is not only the axis of tribalism in Zambia but its shameless embodiment. This is why he has no intellectual issue based politics but character assassination, hatred, lies, xenophobic and tribal crusading.There is no talk of nation development, unit, peace, transformation or reforms but tribalism, homosexuality and secessions from the the rotten mouth and head of Sata. This is why its wishful thinking for some disillusioned Western province secessionists and very few tongas to wastefully align with Sata because its a case of oil and water between them and this serpent called Sata. The sooner they realized that Sata is devil incarnate the better.
Wapya munzi,Kanshi ba Wesly bafuna tuzi ponone,topic eyie ya shupa.
This is why its wishful thinking for some disillusioned Western province secessionists and very few tongas to wastefully align with Sata because its a case of oil and water between them and this serpent called Sata. The sooner they realized that Sata is devil incarnate the better.
Most Bemba women are talkative-(ninkaka). Don’t mess with a Bemba woman you won’t hear the end of it!
Southern province as a whole is a very accommodating province. Just take livingstone, which is tonga land the language most spoken is Nyanja, bemba, lozi and tonga. Tongas dont complain about this situation. Go to a Catholic mass and the songs are mostly in nyanja or Bemba but Tongas dont complain.Even the press has a tag on Tongas as tribalist. Look at what is happening between UPND and the POST. Iam sure ther is an element of tribalism. What Tribe is Sata , Malupenga and Mmembe?
The sooner they realized that Sata is devil incarnate the better.
We are called Ba kabolala,prostitutes,foul mouthed and lazy never have we gone to a local scribe and complained about it,this indeed is a very strange article I wonder what the motive is?
Hey guys lets 4get history and discuss sense like what can be done to change the situation…u are busy bringing old issues at play. That wont help……Remember one Zambia One Nation… VIVA KK
This is why the now dead pact was a laughable unthoughtful circus. It is an insult to late Anderson Mazoka for UPND and any vote from southerners to be wasted on Sata the same is true of Western and north western provinces he has pledged to exterminate from Zambia if his secessionist calls fall flat. Wasting a vote on Sata is an insult of the conscious of the people, late Humphrey Mulemba, Arthur Wina, Nalumino Mundia and all the founding fathers that vested their time in uniting Zambia Sata is pushing to the wire of tribalism and homosexuality.
Guys let me ask…is this tribal thing jus reduced between bembaz and tongaz or its all the tribes agains tongaz coz it daz nt mek sense for 2/3 of the tribes of zambia to go agains tongaz. if its like that then something is wrong with either part.
Patriot, Could you PLEASE flush the toilet now!!
Thats the Generalization I spoke of earlier,you see! People have now come up with Questionable statistics yabah…
Tribalism tag has been and is being used in the media by politicians and media guruz to stem competition out of life and politics. People look at TRIBE when it comes to voting instead of QUALITY.
Zambians of all walks know who the right man for zambia is, but just becoz we are unrepentant tribalists we find excuses for not voting for the best man, yet we complain that the economy is not being run well. Stupid zambians
I am Tonga. Had a Nyanja friend at UNZA who was aactually a classmate and roommate at one time.This guy was seriously tribal coz he only wanted to be friends with me when he needed help in school work or realised i had money and wanted to be taken out for a drink. In the absence of the mentioned he preferred associating with his Nyanja colleagues. I saw the tribalism but i was really not bothered. I was better that them in everything
Maybe send some Bemba prostitues to the world cup in the middle east
Patriot, so Sata gives you sleepless nights? Are Mumbi using an alias
I always thought Easteners were above the tribalism nonsense until Rupiah Banda arrived. Now,most Easteners are tribal coz of him. I know they realise how inadequate RB is and so the haste to protect him.
#48 Rupiaitis _ I also had a Tonga College/room mate who only mingled with Tongas. Even getting a prositute at Astra Cinema he would first find out what tribe she came from
I always thought Easteners were above the tribalism nonsense until Rupiah Banda arrived. Now,most Easteners are tribal coz of him. I know they realise how inadequate RB is and hence the haste to protect him.
am lamba. l can only advice everyone to intergrate if u feel out…………..tribal intergration!
I shared a house in Kabwata area with a single mother of five children. She was a marketeer at Soweto Market. Her ethnicity is Mambwe. During my year or so in that house I heard her make so many outrageous statements about the Tongas. One day, after she stated that Tongas were very selfish people…………..In the first place what was he doing in the same house with a single mother of 5 children this is very fishy I missed this part is he a male solola,nimukali guy warning never leave your wives alone for too long kuli bena Wesliy snipper va zakutandiza utamba,ni yekali iyi kapena let me make an appointment and I might learn a few woman snactching techniques
nGWENYA IS RIGHT IN SOME WAY BECAUSE HIS ORBSERVATION IS REALLY. BUT BE REMINDED THAT TONGAS ARE NOW FRUSTED TO SUCH COMMENTS AGAINST THEM , THE REASON WAY THEY HAVE VOWED TO SHOW THEIR TRUE COLOR OF HARDWORKING AND DONT MIND ABOUT SUCH STUPID COMMENT FROM PIPO WHO THINK THEY ARE SPECIAL THAN OTHERS. IN ON THE POLITICAL ARENA, THEY DONT MIND WHAT EVER HAPPENS AS LONG THEY CONTINUE SUPPORTING THWEIR MAN HH. LEAVE TONBGAS ALONE MWE MBWA MWE.
Comment 29 you live on this blog thats why you’ve not experinced tribalism. Comment 33 Tongas are ready to vote for a Bemba as seen in the 1991 elections when they voted for Chiluba whereas Bembas will never vote for a Tonga. In 2001 when Mazoka was clearly the best, the Bembas rejected him and cow-towed Levy simply because he had Chiluba’s backing. If Tongas can at least vote for a Bemba and Bembas can never, judge where hatred is coming from.
Comment 39, the Post is run by Bembas or people from Bembaland thats why they hate UPND/HH and love Sata.
#56 Maria telachkuti are you also a bachelor who is fond of unmarried women with a bunch of kids???,are by any chance a woman snatcher,I have always wanted to snatch other peoples wives but I don’t seem to have the deeds maybe you can help me out here(I shared a house in Kabwata area with a single mother of five children. She was a marketeer at Soweto Market) Now how on earth does he get so lucky???????
# 57Dora Siliya MMD Spokesperson On #33 That was 1991 before Chiluba showed them how a Bemba can be a Chameleon.
Is Fred not mixed guy one from intermarrige thing?
let the truth be told, TONGAS are very much tribal ! thats why none of them will ever be the president of this mother Zambia.
This Artilcle is irrelevanat and is promoting tribalism.The writter has just made up this story.It is the work of the shushu.It was published for the sake of Patriot and his fellow I.D.I.O.T.s to spread there feaces on the opposition.What most of you are saying is nonsense and does not hold water.Yes tribalism is in Zambia (just like in all countries in the world) but not as bad as it has been preached here.
How can all tribes in Zambia hate Tongas?All tribes in Zambia are as important as any tribe and no tribe is hated by all.CHEAP PROPAGANDA!!!!!
Comment 55 hoses in Lusaka these days are shared. Most people live in single rooms within a shared house. In most case if a house is three bedromed, you will find upto three or four differnt families each renting a bedroom or two while the toilet and bathroom are shared by all the families. Comment 59 I actually meant to say Tongas seem to be easily swayed by quality of a candidate rather than tribe.
Yes I I agree what appulaed me, was the one year he took advantage of this poor woman,I thought that was a bit sick when I looked at further,that why I asked for his skills since he seems to be a master at having his way with unmarried wome with a bunch of kids
But this is all stupid. I dont imagine how people should even discuss this tribalism nonsanse. Tongas you have compleixes. You are the ones in the fore front callining Bembas thieves. When you are sconed back at you cry foul. I at one time greeted a Lozi young lady in the company of her Tonga cousin. Unfortunately my greeting was in Bemba. I was shoked with the response from the young lady. She told me to my face that she hated the language i was speaking and the people that speak it. But that does not mean all Lozis are tribalist. I know a brewaries company in Lusaka were you can not get a job if you are not Tonga. If you think am joking go to Lusaka beer.
Mmembe is a Lozi/Bemba who hates the Lozi side of his parentage. Recall how the Lozis verbally slaughtered him when he wanted to promote Bemba at a Community Radio Station in Western Province?
Patriot ndiwe galu yakantu !! to hell with yo hatred for MC SATA.
# 63 how come he spent so much time with this woman to know this?would you not ask yourself unless he had plans and he did not achive what his heart was set on to screw this woman for his rent
I think whoever wrote this article is ignorant about the real tribalism problem.Every tribe is affected by tribalistic thinking. stop righting articles just cause you have access to computers please. They say mambwes Bakaso, Tongas batutu, bembas nibakabolala, ngonis muzungu anikonde etc. How someone can single out just tongas to be victims is beyond my comprehension.
I think this article is tribalistic by not including other tribes as victims. How about Zambians with indian origin called bamwenye even by the president himself?
But on the other hand why do pipo make such accusations against the Tonga people? Look at what happened when Aderson Mazoka died. Senior officials and close relations to the late outrightly said that the party must be lead by a Tonga and no one else. What happened to Bob Sichinga, Patrick Chisanga etc? They where all hounded out and blocked from taking over and that is how H.H from no where came along. If this is not tribalism, what is it?
Some people grow in sociaties that have strong prejudicies against others. Other societies don’t have such prejudicies against fellow beings. In my experience, I believe the Tonga people belong to the second category. Their societal values are very advanced compared to some other societies in Zambia. This explains why Tongas are very welcoming people and find little value in querelling with others especially on frimsy issues. They would rather discuss factually – sincerely & I think that is why some people think they are segregative. The fact is they are not. They just avoid people whose topics are not genuine.
Where are you? Well, we are here!! First of all, let me state here that I am proude to be a Zambian. The slogan of “One Zambia One Nation” should be promoted on the basis of love for one another regardless of tribe. It is easy to construe that the author of this article might be blowing things out of proportion. However, he has mentioned a lot which is could be true to a certain extent! What I see is that there is a THICK line between tribal haterage and jocking. Chimbuyaship should be exercised but with maximum sensitivity towards other people’s feelings. If tribal haterage really exitis and is creating tribal tension, LET IT BE CRIMINALISED or at least made a civil offence.
Abash this article…abash Sata…and abash tribalism!!!!
I worked in Southern province as a young man and there’s a lot I can’t even begin to say about Tonga tribalists. Not all Tongas are tribalists just like not all Bembas are. But truth be told there are some tribes that are more tribal than others. Ask Zambians who have lived and/or worked in provinces not their own – they’ll tell you that there are tribes that don’t give a &%$# what tribe you are and others who don’t give a &%$#@ about you if you are not their tribe.
# 73 you are very right. The way the guy said about our parents telling us about other tribes, that is the same way Tongas are told about other tribes. So, it is 50/50 the only good part of us zambians, we do not fight one another- i love every zambian-
To understand tribalism, you must be at the receiving end of it. I know it does exist, but probably not to the extent that some people indicate. Tribalists are ignorant, arrogant for nothing individuals who I dont waste time on. Being Lunda I have heard comments about us Northwesteners but when I ask these people………. if they know the Luba-Lunda Kingdom and that several Zambian tribes are off spins of this once great Kingdom they shut up. Tongas generally speaking are decent wonderful people, we settled among them in Choma and know these are decent, hardworking Zambians. I am an adopted Tonga and proud of it. Leave tribalism to the politicians….. this is just a ploy to exploit. One Zambia, One Nation, we need it more. If you believe in tribal superiority, do you believe in racism?
Tonga these days dont mind what you call them. That has made them even more united and push for their own agenda. What I have observerd is that due to onslaught of them as a group, they have also ganged together and have resolved to agree that, they need each other more than they need those who feel indifferent for no apparent reason but only petty jealous and idiocy of ignorance like illiterate SATA and his illiterate poor fish mongers emnating from the luapula river, whose objcetive when their clansman assumed power was to steal.
These Luapula bembas and their ally in SATA have never forgiven the tongas for spearheading a fight against their THIRD term bid, which was meant to perpetuate their hold on to their ellicit and corruptly obtained money. like it or not we are here to stay.
On the: One does not have to be Tonga to respond to this. One just needs to be Zambian. Like I told the people on that bus after hitting that young man.
I think the writer was and is courageous. However, going it physical is not the solution. Dialogue is the best method of resolving such misunderstanding. The Bible says , “do not answer a fool according to his foolishness lest you become like him(the fool)”, from Proverbs. Keeping quiet is not being stupid but torelant and accommodative. Let us accommodate each other even in all our weaknesses.
#48 there is no ethnic group called ‘Nyanja’ in Zambia.
#8, Ba Dora Siliya MMD Spokesperson
I like your contribution. Please give me the contact number of that Director. It seems she is single. I want to marry her and after 20yrs in marriage I will anounce to her that am actually a Tonga bull. What is she going to do?
Psalms 139:14. ” I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful I know that full well”. Genesis 1:27 ” So God created man in his own image, in the image of GOD he creted him; male and female he created them”. Hey! This equips me to look into the eyes of a tribalist and tell them to GO TO HELL their rightful abode! Thank you Father! No tribalist can put me down! Hallelujah!
In some way everyone of us is a nepotist, tribalist, regionist, etc call it whatever. Its only natural, which one of you bloggers would not give a qualified relation a job over other candidates? How many of you in influencial positons have used your power to give relations favors? Be REAL,tribalism is here to stay and personally I will do everything in my power to support my local team first and then others later! Its a natural law of life!
We must teach our children to hate tribalism, regionalism, nationalism and racism. They must respect men and women of every tribe, region, nation and race. Let’s face it sometimes we look down upon other nations e.g. DRC, Malawi thinking we are better than them! We are brothers and sisters. We are one!
Tribalism will not build Zambia.It is a recipe of strife and hatred.For our country to develop,we need to think beyond tribalism and nepotism.Zambia will never develop on the basis of tribalism.Tribalism is retrogressive and backwardness.In other words,people thinking about tribalism are sick and need to be healed both spiritually and mentally.It is the waste filthness that one can exhibit.Progress should not be measured on tribalistic behaviour but on capability.There are people,nowadays,who cannot contribute effectively because their tribe has been stereotyped as tribal.This animal tribalism if not checked will hinder and inhibit progressive minds from achieving their potential.Choice of leadership should not be based on tribe but rather on capability to lead.
#78,by saying ‘Nyanjas,’ number 48 meant folks from eastern province. If you are so dull as not to understand this then don’t participate on this blog. Did you want him to specify that he meant the Tembos, Bandas or Nyirendas……..
On “What really shocks me about these things is how people can have the courage to make such statements and get away with. Even more shocking is the silence. A person will insult Tongas or Lozis and yet no one stands up to reprimand such a person for the tribal remarks. Why? It is because it has become part of our culture to scorn the Tongas? … One does not have to be Tonga to respond to this. One just needs to be Zambian” actually one justs needs to be human but what the writer must realise is that sick politicians and media people are benefiting from calling Tonga people as tribalists.
Just look at what the POST Fudge is benefiting by writing bad news about the mighty UPND after realising that their coverage for Mr serpentine Sata MC has made POST sells go down.
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Matt…
You guys the truth is this; most people who practise tribalism have the following characteristics- lazy, uneducated , unexposed, inferiority complex, not smart, they are bigots etc. If you want to prove it, select all those people who say HH will never be president for Zambia, most if not all have the characteristics i have listed. I have interacted many tongas and i have never experienced the characteristics outlined in the article. In Zambia many families are lazy and when they have an experience with a hardworking and strict person they call them all sorts of names. For Zambia to achieve meaningful development it wil require a lot of attitude cleaning. The attitude of many Zambians is not fit-fo-purpose.
I think this article is over-blowing things. Even if we were all from the same tribe there would still be bunter between different clans or district. I also know that some people shout about Tongas not in a bad way but a teasing manner. We need to have a sense of humour about our differences and this contributes to our piece. Who cares about a woman swearing never to marry a Tonga? Do Tongas depend on her? Let us just laugh about these things and continue loving each other the way we have been. Infact there has been so many intermarriages that you find so many children nowadays carrying mixed names. So let us focus on things that unite us. Bembas have never accussed anyone of tribalism even when they are constantly called thieves. Let us grow up and focus on development guys!!!
On “She was a marketeer at Soweto Market. Her ethnicity is Mambwe… “Can you think of a Tonga person who was your neighbour, workmate, in-law, friend, etc who you knew personally and was selfish?”, I asked. She could not think of any even after giving her several minutes. She later admitted that it was what people were saying. She grew up being told that. Imagine what her children were learning from her” I feel pity for such a gullible woman and hope someone moves her from her ignorance of following others blindly. These are the illiterates who kp voting for PF leader when he cant deliver.
I just hope the POST Fudge journalists and editors are not that dull also as the Mambwe woman in the article for them to think that they can help serpentine Sata win with tribalism…
Tribalism is rife amongst our brothers and sisters. It is evident in these blogs on a daily basis and the fact that people can hide behind our pcs/laptops etc. A good example is the news stories on the barotse agreement, a small group advocates for it’s restoration and a barrage of insults was directed to the Lozis in general rather than the few mentioned in the articles. It just shows how uneducated some people are, they want to preach one Zambia one nation and then on the other hand they they feel they have right to insult other tribes. Total hypocrites
sorry gentlemen i dont like contributing but on this let me say this. Even in the armed forces if two speak tonga or lozi its called tribalism, but use nyanja or bemba its ok, we are also taking note, its too much. lets work if its one zambia one nation so be it. no tribe to dispise the other
ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION
After has been said, what matter the most is the context in which something is said. It wont help to very personal.
We shall set a day when, we shall call all Zambians esp those of Tonga origin and sympathiser not buy the POST newspaper for between 1-5 days, to pressure the post to become responsible in their writing about Tongas like we are foreigners in our own country..Mmembe you owe us alot..and we shall collect from you one day.
I encourage all tongas and those who find offence in generalising critissm against Tonga and other tribes to start boycotting the post, and start to buy the New Vission weekly newspaper.
#84 Why the insults? I thought that one of the issues we are discussing here is not to generalise about people just because of where they come from. Eastern province is made up of a number of ethnic groups namely Kunda, Chikunda, Nsenga, Ngoni, Chewa, Bisa, Tumbuka and Senga. All these people have different languages and different cultures so it is highly inaccurate to stereotype them all as ‘Nyanjas’, an ethnic group that does not exist. How can you say that we should not discriminate and generalise about each other in one breath, and then you go and generalise all ethnic groups from one region in another? Calling everybody from Eastern province ‘Nyanja’, is tantamount to calling everybody from NW as ‘Kaluvale’ or ‘Kalwena’ it is highly lazy and inaccurate.
#84 If you were not so ignorant about Eastern province you would realise the point I was trying to make. You can not stereotype all people from Eastern province as one. For example, if a person is called ‘Nyirenda’, to use one of your examples, they are highly unlikely to be Nsenga or Chewa. They most probably will be Tumbuka or Senga. If you listen to Chewa music, you can hear that it is very different to Tumbuka or Nsenga music. The Nyau dances were only performed by the Chewa people. I am only giving you these examples to show you that there is no and no have been such thing as a ‘Nyanja’ people. Before we start making generalisations about certain people and their cultures, we would do well to educate ourselves before coming on this forum and bandying insults like children.
#84 Another example for your education. In Malawi, there is a lot of acrimony between the Tumbuka and Chewa people to the extent that many Tumbukas who live in the north of the country refuse point blank to speak ChiChewa. If Chewas and Tumbukas are one, then why would this happen? Some of us are enlightened enough not to refer to ‘Nyamazai’ or ‘Kaluvale songola meno’ I would hope that are enlightened enough to extend the courtesy to your countrymen and women from the East.
The spirit of tribalism will certainly go with Sata in the grave. The day stones will be thrown in his grave there also will Zambia burry tribal xenophob.Sata is the embodiment of tribalism.
I think this subject is being blown out of proportion. As some have rightly said there are tribalists in every tribe…. But that does not make us a tribalist nation. Most of the things said about other tribes are done in a joking manner like pa chimbuya…… Zambians are very accomodative people and when you meet someone the last thing you want to know is what tribe they belong to. So please lets live in harmony and continue loving each other. And just for the record Nyanja is not a tribe, it’s a dilect that emerged to help us communicate with each other considering the vast no. of languages in Zambia
#94,from what you have brought forward you have actually confirmed what i had in mind. My mistake was actually that of including the name ‘Nyirenda’ as being a ‘Nyanja’.I actually forgot that among Easteners, the Tumbukas are also highly segregated against. You have actually repeated this in your various postings. You *****,you want to hide behind the Tumbukas to justify your tribalism.
Tonga are tribalist themselves, just look @ UPND, they only want Tongas and now that they have realised that they will never have a Tonga president by thinking only tonga will vote, they want to blame the rest of the country! i have dated 3 Lozi girls in my life, and all of them said this, ” I CAN NEVER MARRY A LOZI MAN OR TONGA MAN BECAUSE THEY ARE GREEDY” So who am i to think that Lozis or tongas are not greedy when you yourself consider yourself greedy! Just check the archives for this dude
Maestro Hhehhehhehhe for 2011 would-b President of Zambia HH his all about HH coz his tonga nothing else. I love HH for his ideas not his tribe. My sister was married to a tonga man and his exact words where “Mazoka nga winna bonse aba tonga ni mu government” isnt that tribalism mr tonga man?
#98 My point which you seem to miss is the fact that you can stereotype or generalise people from a certain region of the country especially when the region in question is made up of various ethnic groups none of which is called ‘Nyanja’. The issue relating to the Tumbuka and Chewa people in Malawi is but one of the points I used to back up my argument. You deliberately choose to ignore the other examples I gave because they do not fit in with your warped view which to me is actually not only tribalist but regionalist. The author of the article was highlighting what he sees as discrimination against a specific ethnic group, the Tongas in Zambia. You go even further by discriminating against a whole region that is heterogenous and you have the cheek to call me a tribalist?
Tonga Bulls are causing trouble in this country.. Their male dominance is evident, whatever pipo say, looks like grils still flock to them.
Kaponya, ideas with practical examples as HH shows he is not a kaponya like you. hate his tribe and love his ideas, what does that make you..an embicile
#98If you are aware that according to you that the Tumbukas are discriminated by other groups in Eastern province then why did you see it fit to refer to everybody from Eastern province as ‘Nyanja’? As I said in my earlier post, is it correct to refer to all people from NW province as Kaluvale, Kalwena or Nyamazai and stereotype them as thus? Why were you so piqued and issued insults to me when all I did was to question the notion of ‘Nyanja’, being an ethnic group? Not only are you wrong to stereotype all people from Eastern province, you are also mistaken because the ethnic group ‘Nyanja’ you are referring to does not exist. Peace.
Dont care what simple minded, uneducated Zambian think about the Tongas. Was in B”ham attending a kitchen party , this girl come to me and said in bemba she liked my looks and my outfit. I chatted to her in bemba and thanked her. While i was still chatting to her my cousin phoned me. i excused myself and answered the phone. When i finished she asked me where i learnt tonga. Told her i was a Tonga and she looked confused. I asked her why and she said in bemba ” tamwapala abatonga” meaning i was too beautiful and well dressed to be a Tonga. I told her” tough ” im tonga and very proud. She just walked away.
What a shame!!!!!! We are supposed to be talking about inventions, we are wasting time on Tongas. And most of these bloggers are in their 20s and 30s!!! You should clean your minds guys, this is 21stC.
Yes,it is possible for one tribe to be so resented by most other tribes.Think of kenya elections and their 41 against 1(the kikuyu) or Nigeria against Igbos and their Biafra.However,it is sad we focus so much on tribe with all the hypocrisy on both sides.
Small minds think of people/tribes,average minds thinks of events and great minds think of ideas.Be the judge of where most comments fall and see why zambia is as 1964.Ideas,ideas, ideas & less of tribes/tribalism and individuals.
#101 Ha… whatever the hell your name is, nowhere did i say i hate tongas, i said “i love HH for his ideas and not his tribe”, that simply means i dont care what tribe he is. There is a very big difference between my statement and this; “I love HH’s ideas and but not his tribe”. I understand english is not our mother tongue.
And what makes you think tonga men are the thing in Zambia? Thats the same spirit you tongas have, always thinking you are the thing when you are not. When we talk about you, then you cry about tribalism, if you cant handle the heat maybe you should shut up just like the rest of Zambians do. And please you tongas stop calling my tribal cousins (bembas) thieves. if you do, then dont cry when they call you dull, backward and the rest of the names that come with it
@ Patriotic # 96. I think you are very ignorant and can not judge properly – reprobate mind-. for once you need to reason. the Sata you are talking about is one of the few politicians that you will not hear tell chiefs in Northern province to vote for him because he is their son.
@ 103 Posh Tonga, thats really sad!! what again will help is to be asking people questions when they make comments so that you know exactly what they mean. sometimes the way we look ( in terms of physical features i.e body ) gives a clue of which part of Zambia one comes from though sometimes its misleading. you agree with me that even here in the UK people have different accents depending on which part of the UK there are from so sometimes its gud to be clear
Do not call others tribalists before critically looking at yourself first. Most Zambians are tribalists, no matter how much you pretend!!! It is wrong to stereo type a tribe. Tongas are just like any other tribe in Zed. There are some great Tongas like my late friend Petulo and my former boss Maurice Mudenda. It is a fact that some tribes do not feel comfortable with each other just like some races do. Tough but we have to learn to live in harmony.
i like your observation but i think you lack history about tribal openess to others tribals. The experince in the past has been if a boss is a tonga then you find many tongas people employed. that why in the past we had many policepeople who were tongas. other tribals is different because if you talk of bembas there are many other tribals in that umbra not all are bembas is the same with eastern. Study the political history then you know how it came about. Althought is not a justication to be tribalist infact is a social sin.
I feel sorry for you Ngwenya. This is the 2nd miserable ‘TRIBE-MOURNER’ after the Barotseland story. Hold your interpretation of your experience as personal, and not everybody’s. I say so because:
My experience is opposite from yours. I have had the priviledge of living and working in Southern, Lusaka, Northern and CB Provinces and had the blessing of learning and appreciating extreme comments made about strengths and weaknesses about our places of our origin.
Tho’ Zambia is multi-tribal, the %age of one tribe population is dwindling.
It is time for TRIBE MOURNERS, like Ngwenya, went back to ancestors’Tribal-Psychology’ where our parents could tease critical issues by treading on cousin-clan or cousin-tribe’s weaknesses.
Ngwenya, bring another topic Not this. Kushishita…
#99 being told by 3 lozi girls that they think lozi and tonga men are greedy does not qualify anything. Besides that not tribalism at all it’s a personal preference based on their experiences. If a met 4 white guys in UK and they state that they will only date a black man, this does not imply that every white guy wants a black guy nor does it imply that they prejudiced to their own kind. Personal preference and don’t make the mistake of assume each and every lozi or tonga man is greedy. Equally I’ve been told numerous times that bembas are bad people but I know that it’s not true, I’ve some brilliant bemba friends. So don’t get your mind corrupted.
I dont think it is the wright to pick one tribe out of 73, and start talking about it, to my knowledge all tribes in zambia are equal dispite their numbers,, tongas are very few in the nation so they cannot be a pain in the neck of the majority of zambians
Yes dude stop with your paranoia, next you’ll be complaining what people say about blacks
yes. I have read all the comments and i hav ethis to say. I am a Tonga and have beeen living out of Zambia for almost 15yrs. I have been following issues of zambia everyday via Internet. Let mw tell u. We tongas are not fools. Ifg some people think they are more Zambian othen others then we shall see. I am very sad about the political development of Zambia. You do not know what u are cooking. if u think peace,harmony and love is expensive the try war. Do u think we tongas are fools? we shall seee. I mean we shall.
We have kept some of the bita things u talk about us and most you come down or send your children to schools in the south like ccl, st joe etc and our chidren can ont get places in thess schools.
Yes we are fools with our hospilalty. I will leave my job soon to come and fight f
I mean you who talk about the the south. Our fathers / parents in the zambezi valley were moved out of their land for the kariba dam to give you light. how many of our tonga zambezi are benefiting from that. My family land was teken away for the power line to send power for the so call elite zambians. we shall see. you continue that itimidation and we shall know where kashikisi is.
please promote peace love and harmonry. I am not happy with what is going on in Zambia. I have only one HOME AND THAT IS ZAMBIA. ZAMBIAN U HAVE NOT SEEN PROBLEMS AND IF YOU WANT TO TRY PLKSE NOT THE SOUTH. ONE Z ONE NATION. LEAVE POLITICIAN ALONE ANY ONE CAN BE PRESENDENT.
Zambians, most of them are not tribalists. Only a handful, I don’t mean to be ugly here, but the people from Luapula province are on top of the list. They have this poor complex than they want to be known as “Bembas.” Since they are divided small tribes, they hang on to Bembas, look at Kambwili the MP in Luanshya. Bembas will conquer! is he Bemba? When you hear a Zambian talking bad against others, their medium will be Bemba. Bembas themselves are good people, but those from Luapula has made it to look ugly.
This Tribal thing is everywhere- say Mabwe women dont like to get married to mabwe men, they say mabwe men, bakaso sana and then mabwe to marry mabwe women- so it is like the tribal thing is there but we should not just encourage division. we are one- everywhere one goes, will find bda,good worse,useless and the best. God bless everyone this topic closed now let me be the last one- we love you all.
@ 116, you are mistaken, you urgument has no basis and is highly illogical. am from Luapula married to a Tonga and i speak Luvale, Lunda and learning Silozi. This ignorance of coming up with grouping people in clusters is terrible and i think those who have mingled with a lot of people from different places will realize that every tribe has good and wrong characters. . you need to substantiate issues and not make s full judgement on insufficient, unsubstantiate, unreasonable, illogiical matters. if you have beef with one individual it doesn’t mean the all tribe. i presume you have a complex problem
Wow, I like this discussion. Probably the best way to look at the remarks cited by the writer, Mr Wesley Ngwenya, is turn it in a statistical perspective. Without sounding bad or stereotypical, there could be some evidence here. Regard this as a poll being taken by this Ngwenya, what could one derive at if giving a report? Please do not fight me, fight inferential statistics.
#116 mwana ka mwanta, you have a point but what you have forgotten to mention here is that in Zambia very few languages/dialects are being used. Look at Southern Province every one is Tonga, even if they are something else. Look at Eastern Province, how many dialects are in Eastern Province? Everyone there is regarded as Nyanja even if there is no Nyanja tribe. Western Province is the same. all are Lozis even others are not. So, us people from Luapula are basically not Bembas, but our dialect is like Bemba but that does not mean tribalism or being bad. To the contrary. UNESCO reports that among the 6,000 languages existing in the world 2,500 of them are about to disappear or have already stopped their existence. About 3000 lose their carriers every year. Do research bwana.
this article is very myopic to say the list. in the first place, it takes two to tangle. its not like the tongas are just bystander victims in this. for instance, i have personal experience of having been discriminated against at a boarding school in southern province day in day out for coming from another province and using space for tongas. the pupils had demarcated domitaries into tonga only and manyukunyuku dorms. unfortunately for me, i was one of the late arrivals and found the manyukunyuku dorms filled up and had no choice but to get into the tonga only dorm. day in day out i listened to abuse such as: aren’t there schools in your own province? or us tongas are the only hard working and honest people, if we seee an ox we will ooh this musune can plough for you for years, but when a
bemba man sees the same ox all he is going to say is munani! munani! munani! or the other time getting on those luangwa/ kafue trains going for holidays, whenever a group gets on board speaking bemba they would go; ba sa kamujata ma bege, hibemba zyabbola. but i hasten to say that there were some very good tonga lads some of whom i befriended and a number came to my defence whenever i got abuse. the point is that these experiences are not going to define my views about a whole noble tribe like the tongas, people joke about them as being sleepy or whatever and most of this sad to say is from ignorance. most people joke about the bembas as being thieves or crooks. how much of these innuendos are based on fact? lets try to contribute articles which build and not destroy
2 SUM UP O I WLD SAY IS, WE NID TO TAKE A LEAF FROM TANZANIA ,SOUTH AFRICA,BOTSWANA,AND SOME EURPIAN COUNTRIES WHERE TRIBLSM IS NON EXISTANCE. THE COUNTRIES I HAVE MENTIONED ARE FAR MUCH DEVELOPD THAN ZAMBIA BCOZ PIPO THERE ARE ONE PIPO ARE NOT PUT IN POSITIONS COZ OF THERE TRIBES.THE OTHER THING THAT KILLED US ZAMBIANZ IS WE HAVE ADOPTED A VERY FOREIGN LANGAUGE ‘ENGLISH’WHICH HAS DONE HARM THAN GOOD TO DEVELOP OUR MOTHER LAND.IF YOU GO TO THE COUNTRIES I HV MENTIONED IF NOT ALL REALLY USE ENGLISH WIDELY AS MODE OF COMMNCTION THIS HAS HELP PIPO WITH IDEAS TO TRASILATE THERE IDEAS INTO MEANINGFULL DEVELOPMENT WHICH NOT THE CASE HERE WHERE IF YOU DO NOT ENGLISH U ARE NOT GIVEN A CHANCE TO SAY ANYTHING THIS CLD THE REASON Y THERE WAS NOT MUCH DEBATE IN AUGUST HOUSE ON THE SPEACH RB GAVE…
“I have never spoken about this issue but since I’m in Southern Province, let me say that it is better for HH to get an opportunity like this one alliance. Let him not turn down the opportunity. If he has chosen to remain in the opposition in perpetuity, it is his decision. I’m offering him a chance,” Dr Chituwo said.
Uh, this smells like tribalism. So, MMD is the party peddling tribalism and soon we shall divisions pertaining to tribal lines. If HH accepts this bate, he will prove nothing but being a full wimp. Such tribalism coming from a Dr, a military officer, Rwanda is knocking at Zambia’s doors.2011 is not very far. It will UN and AU peacekeepers walking on our streets soon. Rupiah Banda seem to be bent on dividing Zambia and hold on to power at all cost.
@123, point of correction . South Africa are you talking about where there is tribalism. do you know why the Zulu’s stood up aganist Mbeki when Zuma was facing the court issues? Have you heard about this common phrase in south Africa that, sho me a decent Xhosa girl, and i will show you a tidy Pedi and a peaceful Zulu. I hav lived in SA before and your example is wrong. Coming to Botswana, have u talked to other small tribe there? it doesn’t help to get wrong examples. The only success is Tanzania and the reason is simple, its the swahili that has put them together.
Tribalism is being perpertuated by the strong allignment with our traditions, promotion of traditional ceremonies and other issues. Anthropologically, each tribe wants to stand out, speak there own language and advance the interest of those who belong to their grouping. this is why long time ago people used to fight for territories and dominance. The reason why KK managed to atleast bring people together is because he weakened the power of chiefs and traditional leaders. We have to make trade-offs, strengthen chiefdoms and increase tribalism. The ever increasing traditional ceremonies are worrying
it was 2007,when i driving into town,i gave two men a lift into town.they didnt have money for a bus.of the two men,i knew one of them well.the other started talking ill of tongas that aba tonga bali shishita and are greedy people who are full of themselves.he really talked rubbish.i reached a point where i didnt want to listen to anymore and i told him that i was tonga..he then tried to apologise.i just told him that its ok.not all of us are tribal or bad.am mmd and i dnt support upnd.
#11 #14#17#61#99 & #101 u are complete idi.ots you fail to debate constructively and all you do is to further hate towards a tribe. Have you ever seen the inside of a classroom. You are mentally anything less than irrational swine. M******mwe! Imichila btween your hind legs. Ba swine!
The document is a true reflection of what is happening in Zambia. The Tongas have received a brunt of tribalism. The mother of all tribalism in Zambia are the Bembas , they even teach they children to hate other tribes. Any political party that is headed by any body who is not a Bemba or Eastern province is labeled as tribal party.UPND, ADD and National party TRIBAL Parties, MMD and Pf are referred as national in character because they headed by an easterner and Bemba respectively but when one looks at the composition of influential members they come from one region. Bembas don’t even want to learn other peoples’ language. Mmembe and SATA are the chief tribalists. They are on record calling other s tribalists.Tongas and other tribes voted for UNIP and MMD under the leadership of…
Eh Eh!! This (#128) Tonga Steel knows how to speak & write bemba, pa sopo!!
Why are we talking tribalism here?? Unless one is very PARANOID, then indeed it is an issue. Going by the intermarriages, I would have thought, that as a nation, we have really made some civilised advancement, one of the very few successes that we can shout about from the top of the hill!!
The only people that seem to derive pleasure from this debate & promoting the vice, are LITTLE SMALL POLITICIANS, who see everything in it for them – becoz they are so MYOPIC. For sure, if any one in Zed today stood on a tribal ticket, I don’t think that person would go far. Using subterfuge, & deceving a few from other tribes, maybe might help them – BUT am yet to be convinced a tribalist in Zed can sway Zedians!!!
cont
of Bemba but a Bemba person will never ever vote for any other tribe other than their own. Mazoka was outstanding did they vote for him? Among the three presidential candidates HH, RB and MCS, the only person with presidential qualities is HH, any one sane will attest to that but will a Bemba person vote for him with their indoctrination, it is million dollar question
stand up all and say no to a tonga president!!!never not now…..
#131 even us easterners can not vote for HH…tonga?? NEVER!
#129 don’t be “defeatist” (i.e. if the word exists!) & feel victimised!! Before you can confidently say this is what is happening in Zed, what statistics do you base this on?? Have you been on the ground to vouch that this is the predominant feeling of Zedians?? You may have a point, more so that you have endeavoured to mention those you feel victimise you – BUT THEY ARE NOT IN THE MAJORITY, these are two individuals!! imagine if Tongas today read your posting & believe every word of it – would that make it true?? Am Bemba, I dated a Tonga & our families interacted very well, I have Tonga aunts, no-one even notices this is so.
Look on the bright side & be positive. we should all thank free education that brought us together, we should endeavour to restore & protect it to equalise…
It appears the author is the main culprit himself who is the tribalist and seeks any opportunity to exploit this non issue. The author has a victims mentality or cry baby attitude and wants to fan the flames. Anyone that has lived in Zambia knows that there everyday sterio-type bannter accross all tribes and usually its lightheaded conversational remarks without any mean spirited intentions. We are all mixed up in Zambia accross tribal lines and live in harmony. Stop looking for tribalism in every corner and find more constructive ways of utilizying your time instead of walking around with a note pad and documenting imaginery tribalism. One Zambia, One Nation!!!!!
Ngwena’s article is an unscientific generalization based purely on anecdotal evidence and stereotypes derived from his personal experiences. In my view, this article is not intellectually enlightening at all and is not even worth debating or discussing. It should just be consigned to the dustbin. It is not in any way different from the stereotyping Chibamba Kanyama indulged in his recent book which aroused the ire of the Luvale. I would take Ngwenya more seriously if he based his article on an intellectually serious, extensive, and in-depth social scientific study not only of the Tonga but of all ethnic groups in Zambia.
Problem pa Zed twalikwata aka lijo.There some pipo who think they are better than other and always try to pull them down.That is why we will never develope mwe bantu.Primitivity has taken hold.
mr phiri u nid to b serious 4 once am an easterner my self and i dont hold yo views its not every easter that wouldnt vote a tonga pls asatisenya ife bathu wakumawa you sound to be an imposter i doubt if phiri
We Tongas are like Jews. We have been hated for the wrong reasons like just being born Tonga is such a reason.
#99, you are a liar, you have never dated 3 lozi women & are just fabricating a story to air your resentment against lozis. Make your point on your own merit without dragging us into your shallow imaginery world. Just by your igorance displayed in your comment, no lozi woman would touch you with a ten foot pole.
Am a barostelander….living in southern part of zed……I cant complain of ma mbuyaz thy are nice people…..problem bembaz u re tribalists…..and very very stupid……….!!!!
I find it hard to believe that everybody else in Zambia hates the Tongas. This article is titled ‘Tribalism in Zambia’ and yet it should have been titled ‘Hatred against Tongas’. The author fails seems to only hear anti-Tonga remarks and is seemingly deaf to remarks against other ethinic groups. To me he either has a chip on his shoulder or he is also a tribalist. People from every tribe in Zambia have a problem with people from other tribes. You only have to read this blog to see the vernom against Bembas, Lozis, Tongas, etc. He makes a good point though when he says young people are still being poisoned by older people. The right education is key to move forward.
The term tribe must be replaced with ethinicity on all Zambian Official documents because it is easy to use for discrimination. Politicians blame tribalism normally when they fail to achieve their goals, sometimes without full self-assessement.
37// Don’t call my brothers in Barotseland secessionists before you listen to them. Why don’t you give them a platform to tell their side of the story? What makes you guyz gittery and start insulting them even before they talk. Leave them alone after all they are the poorest in the world and you can’t help them in any way. You even laugh out your lungs when they die from curable diseases, and say you kushishita.
#141 You of all people are the most tribalistic on this blog,Why do you have so much hate in your heart?or are you mentaly challenged such that you hate is blindind you and causing you to speak from kumatako,**** you
Why do you hate us? What have we done to deserve such insults?
Tribalism is real in zed & that’s why I left. There are certain tribal groupings that feel it’s OK to discriminate against other tribes. Good luck with your country.
You know,It is a certain percentage of *****s who ruine it for all with their thinking for the other end,We have lived,dated and married the so called Whatever tribes.I personally think the journalist who wrote this artcle is a DICK head and should have his head EXAMINED,stupido why are you trying to breed hatrade you fool
#139, don’t liken your self to Jews, go into their history b4 indulging as you have.
“mwamu wona uja atamanga monga chi mutonga”.-Funny kid indeed.lol
since When did Tonga’s become jews this is madness
One thing that you all need to understand is that we are one in the eyes of God, so this issue of attacking each other on tribal grounds is very bad as it may culminate into unnecessary wrangles… dont forget that we are a christian nation that regards all tribes as one.
cerebritesssssssssssss are tongas.i share a room with a bemba gel,she does pass si;ll;y comments about tongas” i can never vote or go out with tongas balayunfwa”.we r nt studying the same cos, but just because called by the university to n participate in the conferences,she hates me.i was chosen as their presiden t for foreign students by our embassy .she gossip about me but the friends she tells they come back to me.all wat i told the friends is u all gossip together n i dont nid your reports.the book of proverbs says do not ans a fool ,rest u be like her/him.a hater il never succed .wat i can tell my fellow tongas is to leave those u hate u,mind yo own bussiness.dont ans back rest u also become fools
cerebritesssssssssssss are tongas.i share a room with a bemba gel,she does pass si;ll;y comments about tongas” i can never vote or go out with tongas balayunfwa”.we r nt studying the same cos, but just because called by the university to n participate in the conferences,she hates me.i was chosen as their presiden t for foreign students by our embassy .she gossip about me but the friends she tells they come back to me.all wat i told the friends is u all gossip together n i dont nid your reports.the book of proverbs says do not ans a fool ,rest u be like her/him.a hater il never succed .wat i can tell my fellow tongas is to leave those u hate u,mind yo own bussiness.dont ans back rest u also become fools:)
I think this is a set up
I think that woman is a bitch,remind of her humble comings this foolishness indeeds have a word with her this is just not acceptable
Guys are we going to fear each other when we met,this sims like serious staff.Do we hate each other that much? This is really scary!!!!!
If tribal hatred against them and statements such as “a tonga will never be president continue”, let the tongas consider secession. They can’t be held to ransom by anyone.
ALL OF YOU 157 INTELLIGENT BLOGGERS, SOME ONE WHO IS A SHUSHU HAS RESEACHED ON YOU WITH EASY, ALL HE NEEDED TO DO TO LEARN ABOUT TRIBALISM PERCEPTIONS IN ZAMBIA WAS TO FLOAT THIS TOPIC AND YOU ARE ALL GOING TO EXTREMES TO TRY AND JUSTIFY THE UNJUSTIFIABLE FOR THE SAKE OF THIS GUY TO COLLECT DATA FOR HIS PAPER. SO ZAMBIANS CAN BE EASILY MISLED, NOW WAIT FOR THE REAL TOPIC.
Very negative from me, I abhor racism, tribalism and any sort of regionalism, so I expect to be slaughtered for the suggestion I am going to make. The suggestion is this, let the rest of Luapula, Northern, Southern, Western, North-Western, Central, Eastern, Lusaka, and the Copperbelt,. The fact is the majority are not part of the so called big tribes, let the small one`s accept their individuality and work with the other small groups so they are not consumed by the greediness of people who operate on these levels.The majority Zambians belong to these small places and there needs to be an encouragement for people to respect their origins and not be consumed by the necessity of language.
I hate tribalism and but yes I am proud of my Lunda heritage. Would not change it for anything.
The “One Zambia One Nation” motto was founded on the basis that the constituent ethnic groups were to have equal rights and there would be mutual respect. But these values have been lost as some tribes think they have more rights than others. That’s why they go to the extent of saying that people of certain tribes will never be presidents in Zambia. Either we make deliberate efforts to get back to the original values and respect each other or we divide and form separate states consisting of tribes that can work together.
Once I met a muzungu who said all Zambians are useless. Do you think I even worried about what he said, or do you think I started beating him? I just thought, “fine, to hell with him”. Now this guy Wesley is writing articles about what some children said about who they are going to marry when they grow up. Don’t be ridiculous man, take a seat. Calm down. Take a few beers
Just understand that some people hate those who are better than them in one way or another. Naturally Bembas hate those who can challenge them in life. Tongas love yourselves and be united the way us Lozis have been. Viva Lozi, Luvale, Lunda, Lenje, Lamba, Tonga, Kaonde, Chokwe, etc.
#162 We all need to be proud of who we are in life and enjoy life to the fullest either singularly or collectively.
Very divisive article, in fact when you want to get people’s reaction to a topic never give the clues as you are doing now. You were supposed to be generalising issues here so that respondents can give an indication but talking about tribalism then have a go aganist one tribe is utter rubbish. I have a feeling this article is of no value to us readers. I am Tonga breed, pure and proud. We are called all sort of ridicule but it does not bother us. Just imagine if the subject was “Bemba” in that bus, that bus could have been burnt down. HH and UPND has brought us alot of attention in the negative o say the least, I dismiss such as crap. Other tribes have just realised that other tribes can do politics, but go back the history of Zambia. Tonga are all over the struggle. When Sata uses…
Cont’d. Uses Bemba to address a rally or media in Lusaka instead of say Lenje, Soli, etc as Kaunda would have done, its ok. When Chiluba was in L/stone he would speak Bemba to us, its was ok. I think this argument is non valid but sort of a way of adding ridicule to us “Tongas”. I say this because even the writer uses situations which no one here can support as true. Its people like Mr Ngwenya, who actually start ethic stereotypes, why now? Is it because elections are upon this beautiful country. I challenge Wesley to carry out an intelligent research not starting useless, divisive and dull arguments on this blog.
I am not Tonga but i have been to other provinces here in Zambia. Apart from Lusaka and the copperbelt provinces there is no other province that could be likened to Southern Province. It is the only province where one is able to buy decent fried chicken and chips. Common…lets be serious. I am married to a Tonga woman and usually boasts of her people and language and that her province is among the only three provinces that are classified as urban.
Leave the Tongas alone, atleast they they dont steal, the grow mapopwe and drink plenty of milk,no wonder its difficulty to find dwarfed tongas like unlike other Zambians even leaders we know.
Leave my half Tonga children alone. They are Zambian. Perhaps i need to ask my friend a lecturer at UNZA why the campus is 80% full of Tongas