By Kellys Kaunda
THE CHURCH AND THE QUESTION OF TRIBALISM – WHAT MY CHURCH HAS TAUGHT ME
I became an Adventist when I was a teenager at Chibanda’s village, Chief Kashiba in Mwense District.
Something caught my attention when one of the congregants always sang from a Tonga Hymn Book while the rest of us did so from Bemba Hymn Books.
When I asked him why, he told me that he had spent sometime in Southern Province and therefore got used to singing in Tonga.
When I moved to Ndola, I would congregate at Ndola Main SDA Church.
This congregation had significant ethnic diversity – Lambas, Bembas, Luvales, Lozis, Tongas, Ngonis, etc.
They sang from Hymn books in different languages and yet there was harmony.
I don’t know about other denominations, the Adventists have a tradition that brings members together for lunch after church service.
During this time, you get exposed to dishes that are unique to specific tribal groupings.
For instance, chikanda, impwa, katapa are typical of Bembas. But others learnt how to eat them and actually enjoyed them.
I learnt to drink Tobwa and Mayeu. I also learnt and to this day enjoy mabisi, a typical Tonga cuisine.
Across the table during lunch, different languages would be spoken.
Consequently, I began to understand some of these languages even if I didn’t speak them.
When I joined the choir, songs would be in all kinds of languages.
In fact, if you were Bemba and the song was say in Luvale, you wanted to showcase your skills at singing other languages.
Choir members were of all kinds of tribes and languages.
We were, as the Bible teaches, neither Jew nor Gentile, male or female but one people.
I never knew the question of tribe until I became exposed to politics covering them as a journalist.
When I see lists of people’s names accompanied by complaints and accusations of tribalism, I can’t truly relate or make sense of the arguments.
Am I supposed to feel something? Am I damaged? Did church damage my sensitivity to the question of tribe?
Frankly speaking, I am eternally grateful that I became de-sensitized to the question of tribe in my teenage days.
I am glad because I see a lot of hypocrisy in the debate.
Those that practiced tribalism when it suited them see everything wrong with it today.
Those that criticized it before react angrily when they are accused of it.
May the church continue to preach the gospel that says there is neither Jew nor gentile.
Yes,I agree.I also grew up in Solwezi..Kenneth Kaunda ensured that there was tribal mixing by tranfering workers from native regions to”foreign”regions,and because there was no tv and wall fences in Solwezi at the time,we the kids gathered in big numbers to play different games both at school and home.kids from low density locations mixed freely with kids from high density ones.What astonishes me today and now that I am damaged by tribal politicians and the press is that not even a single kid was slightly aware that at play,we all spoke and communicated in Bemba
Now am grown up.Every time I read or listen to news,the first thought that comes to mind is what tribe is the named people .
Boombo klat!!
I went to a Pub over the weekend, some town on the Copperbelt,run by a woman from the Tribe obsessed with Tribe.
And in came a man who also wanted to refresh too.
Here is the conversation the woman had with the man.
“Good afternoon, What can I give you”
“A Mosi” , answered the man.
“And what is your name”
The man gave an English name ” Kelvin”
“And your other name” , the woman asked.
The man answered.
” From where ” the woman asked.
From Kitwe , the man answered.
“I mean where you come from”
From Kitwe , the man answered.
“I mean your Tribe” the woman persisted.
The man just went out without answering…
Just then ,the woman’s friends came, and they switched into their Language…the usual language.
I wasn’t surprised. For them it’s about Tribe.. always about Tribe.
So Mr Kellies Kaunda, we know the Zambia we have become. Don’t try to smoother perfume to the stench. Even kids are now talking Tribe.
There was a time we could listen and dance to Mulemena Boys, Smokie Haangala..Keith Mlevu, Rikki Illilonga , Mayenge, without bothering about the language. And even in Church, we could sing Bemba, Nyanja, Kaonde, Lozi or Tonga songs.. without a bother. Even as recent as JK’s ka Silimu, Balekuzembeleka..Tribe blind good music.
But enter those obsessed with Tribe, and language becomes visible.
We know what we have become Mr Kellies Kaunda…and you know the reason..