• Entertainment
  • Culture & Tourism

BEMBAS IN ZAMBIA – A SHORT TIMELINE HISTORY

the bemba kingdom essay

The Bemba tribe migrated into Zambia from the Luba Kingdom (present day Democratic Republic of Congo) during the Bantu Migration, which took place between the 15th and 17th centuries. Legend has it that the chief of the Luba tribe, Mukulumpe, married a woman named Mumbi Lyulu Mukasa who was of the crocodile clan (known as the Ng’andu clan). She had sons called Chiti, Nkole and Katongo who fled the Luba kingdom after a dispute. They took with them followers and their sister Chilufya. The Bemba tribe is the biggest in Zambia in terms of population taking more than a third of the entire population.

In order to expand their kingdom, the Bemba raided smaller tribes, taking their land, resources and women. Nkole and Chiti eventually died and were buried at a place called Mwalule, which is now a royal burial ground where all Bemba chiefs (addressed as Chitimukulu) are buried. Chilufya’s son was crowned the new chief, starting a matrilineal form of royal succession that continues today. The Bemba eventually settled in present-day Northern Province after they spotted a dead crocodile that they took to represent a good omen. They named the capital Ngwena. Present-day Bemba society consists of 40 clans with different identifiers.

The Bemba tribe are mainly found in the Northern, Luapula, Muchinga, Central and Copperbelt provinces. There are other tribes such as the Ushi, Lamba, Bisa, Chishinga, Kunda, Lala, Lunda, Ng’umbo, Swaka, Tabwa and Unga who speak dialects of Bemba and are loosely affiliated with the Bemba tribe, but are considered independent tribes. With urbanisation, Bemba speakers can be found everywhere in Zambia including the capital city, Lusaka. Due to degraded soil in their homeland, the Bemba have historically practiced a farming system called ‘chitemene’. It is a slash and burn system where trees are cut down and burnt and the ashes are then used to reduce the acidity of the soil. Once the land has been overworked (after three or four years), the Bemba tribe will move to another patch of land. Due to increased population, which leads to pressure on the land, the chitemene system is slowly being practiced less often.

The Bemba recreate their migration to Zambia in the annual Ukusefya Pa Ngwena traditional festival that takes place in Mungwi District. During the ceremony, the Chitimukulu (King of the Bembas (though politically called paramount Chief)) is carried on a throne made of a paper mache crocodile. There is drumming and dancing, and traditional food and drink is served. The Ukusefya Pa Ngwena takes place in August. The Bemba of Luwingu district in Northern Province celebrate the Mukula Pembe traditional ceremony, which also takes place in August.

Credit: theculturetrip

In the pic: The Bemba King Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II being carried by his subjects during the ‘Ukusefya pa Ng’wena’ traditional ceremony in 2015.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • lightbulb_outline Advanced Search

The political system of the Bemba tribe : North-Eastern Rhodesia

African political systems • • published in 1940 • pages: 83-120, by: richards, audrey i. (audrey isabel) ..

Abstract This essay is a highly compressed study of the Bemba political system. The author at the time, was a Reader in Social Anthropology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The essay discusses the inter-relationships of the Bemba political organization, kinship structure and religious practices. It analyzes systematically the bases of authority, functions of leadership, and the machinery of government. The final portion is devoted to a description and analysis of post-European changes.

Cite This Item

Copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the links below to export the citation to your chosen bibliographic manager.

Copy Citation

Chicago manual of style 17th edition (author date), apa 7th edition, mla 9th edition, harvard reference format (author date), export citation, your privacy.

This website uses cookies to analyze traffic so we can improve your experience using eHRAF.

By clicking “Accept all cookies”, you agree eHRAF can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy .

IMAGES

  1. AFRICA

    the bemba kingdom essay

  2. AFRICA

    the bemba kingdom essay

  3. The Bemba and Yanoama by Gregory Paul on Prezi

    the bemba kingdom essay

  4. An Introduction to Zambia’s Bemba Tribe

    the bemba kingdom essay

  5. BEMBA PEOPLE: MATRILINEAL, AGRARIAN AND THE THE LARGEST ETHNIC GROUP IN

    the bemba kingdom essay

  6. HOW THE BEMBA PEOPLE SETTLED IN ZAMBIA: The true meaning of Ukusefya Pa Ng'wena (African History)

    the bemba kingdom essay

VIDEO

  1. 12 Bemba Words For Everyday Life💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 🇿🇲 #bemba #zambianlanguage

  2. The Story Behind the Mpemba Effect

  3. The Bemba Kingdom

  4. #History the Bemba Kingdom #socialstudies

  5. Nancy saves submarine

  6. KAMBA CULTURE DOCUMENTARY (PART 2)