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History and Culture in Zambia Zambia was first colonised by the British, the colony was known as Northern Rhodesia, copper ore main natural resource was exploitatied during this period. Though this could have made Zambia one of the continent's richest countries, it is one of the world's poorest. Zambian gained it's independence in 1964. The first president was Kenneth Kaunda of the United National Independence Party. Soon after independence Zambia became involved in a war in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Kaunda closed Zambia's southern border and gave safe haven to cadres from Joshua Nkomo's ZAPU party and its associated guerrilla army, ZIPRA. Zambia Zimbabwe relations improved after Zimbabwe became independent in 1980 and Kaunda's foreign policy focused elsewhere. Kaunda subsequently became a major regional statesman. He played a major part in the initiatives leading to independence in Namibia and South Africa and, in the 1990s, chaired both the Organisation of African Unity and the 'front-line' grouping of Southern African states confronting the South African apartheid regime. Kaunda's forays abroad tended to result to neglect of Zambia's domestic agenda. Zambia was a one-party state from 1973 until 1991. During 1990, domestic unrest sparked off by price rises developed into multi party democracy. The key opposition, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) led by Frederick Chiluba, won a substantial majority in the ensuing 1991 election. Initially the Zambian economy improved as the International financial and development aid – which were suspended towards the end of Kaunda's tenure – were resumed. On the political front, Zambia managed the transition from one-party state to political pluralism reasonably smoothly. In 1996, Chiluba was returned for a second term. However, the Government's increasingly repressive measures against political opposition resulted in a sharp escalation of political violence and unrest. The political instability contributed to a declince in Zambia's economy. Despite the opposition's best efforts, the MMD still emerged as comfortable winners of both the presidential and national assembly polls of 2001. MMD candidate Levy Mwanawasa was sworn in as President and soon won respect for his anti-corruption drive.Zambia gained considerable benefit from the Western debt relief programme, which wiped out a fair proportion of Zambia's foreign debt in 2005. Following the death of President Mwanawasa in 2008, Vice President Rupiah Banda called an election and became president with a narrow victory. Religion: Protestant and Roman Catholic make up around 30% of the Zambian population, there are a smaller number are Muslim and Hindu, and a small minority have traditional animist beliefs. Social conventions: African culture and traditions remain prominent and there are various customs, folklore and traditional crafts in the different regions. Traditional dancing is popular and there are many colourful annual ceremonies that take place throughout the country. Visitors to the outlying areas should expect to be met with curiosity. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Gifts are often offered to visitors as a sign of gratitude, friendship or honour. One should never refuse a gift but accept it with both hands. Homosexuality is illegal; those caught engaging in homosexual acts can be sentenced to several years imprisonment. Photography: Visitors are able to take photographs in most places but are advised to avoid military installations. For a travel guide and tips to Zambia missiontripzambia.com
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