CHIMBUYA: CEMENTING BONDS DURING A TIME OF GRIEF
This past week has been an emotional period for our nation Zambia as we mourned our 4th President Rupiah Bwezani Banda. It is in times like this that the bonds between people are cemented because a time of mourning always reminds each of us how much we need each other. It makes us introspect on the importance of having people on whose shoulders one can lean on.
During this time of mourning, the special tradition of “Chimbuya” that exists between Easterners and Northerners has been an important mechanism of helping the people mourn and deal with this great loss. From the funeral house, the markets, parliament, the streets, offices and homes; the humorous pouring of powder and mealie meal on Easterners by Northerners kindled smiles on people’s faces during this difficult time and made them forget their pain for a moment. The attempts by some Easterners to elude the powder and the determined pursuit by Northerners to ensure that all Easterners receive the powder provided a very interesting spectacle.
Seeing politicians from across the political divide covered in white powder by each other showed that the perceived political dividing lines are superficial. Seeing parliamentarians joking with each other after powdering each other brought light moments in a house which is usually associated with antagonistic debates. Even at the mourning house, seeing those who jokingly “banned” the usage of powder at the funeral finally receiving the powder on their head in a humorous manner was a nice sight. The back and forth, cat and mouse game which saw Easterners and Northerners daring each other showed how traditions like “Chimbuya” create an atmosphere that encourages a jovial relationship among people.
So when you look at these pictures of easterners being covered in white powder by their cousins from the North and how Zambians watched this while cheering with joy and laughter, let it remind you that all Zambians are one people who share bonds that can never be broken. Let these pictures remind you that our country is built on love and our ability to find joyful moments even in difficult times.
(By Zambian Footprints)
