Zambia Culture & Traditions: Explore The African Pearl Splendor

By Jenna Jolie | Update on: Jan 15, 2025

Zambia is home to a diverse range of cultures, languages and traditions. There are a few extremely basic ones that apply when traveling the nation. Over 70 indigenous tribal groupings make up a major portion of the population. Asians, Europeans and other people make up the remainder of the population. Let's get through this article to find out the Zambian culture and traditions for preparing a wonderful journey.

What Are The Common Cultures That Travelers Should Be Aware Among Zambia?

There are some common cultures of which you should be aware among Zambians:

• Most tribal traditions are only practiced in rural regions of Zambia because of how quickly the metropolises are developing.
• Greetings should always come first in a conversation and you should always be the one to greet someone who comes up to you. 
• When a woman extends her hands in greeting, men should wait to extend their own.
• Presenting a gift is a way to express gratitude, friendship, or honor. 
• Gifts should not be declined; instead, they should be received with both hands when saying thanks.
• The bride price, or "lobola", is still a traditional custom used to show thanks to the bride's parents. Before the wedding, the woman is typically brought to the groom's village. For the celebration of the marriage, a lot of food and homemade beer are prepared. A drumming and singing performance follows. Following their meeting with the elders, the bride and groom discuss the significance of their relationship.

Traditional Wedding Ceremony in Zambia

Zambia Immigration Services believes that a well-informed traveler is on a safer journey. In light of this, we have created a simple-to-navigate Zambia travel information from applying for a Zambia e-visa to getting Zambia travel insurance and also travel advices for a hassle-free journey.

Travel Tips for Travelers Who Want to Travel to Zambia Smoothly

Below are a few examples of distinctive Zambian traditions:

• In Zambian villages, the loss of loved ones is a serious problem. The village's residents all contributed time, money and effort to the deceased's burial. It's a tremendously dramatic event where sobbing, singing and dancing are used to show grief. Men remain outside the home during the period of mourning, while the ladies remain inside the home of the deceased. The community gathers to discourse about the deceased before proceeding to the burial site to say their final farewells.
• Zambian culture places a lot of value on music and dancing. Although each tribe has its own distinctive dance style, all tribes use makishi. Although dance is typically performed for initiation rites, it is also used for happy occasions. Drums are used most frequently in music and there are many different drumming ceremonies.

We believe that a well-informed traveler is on a safer journey. In light of this, we have created a simple-to-navigate Zambia travel information.

In our following articles, you'll learn about Zambia culture and traditions, must-try food and drink and what to carry in your suitcase. Our travel advice and information on Zambia e-visa and Zambia travel insurance can help you get ready for a safe and pleasurable journey. Starting your adventure and exploring Zambia for yourself is the only way you can potentially discover more. Get to adventuring first by apply for a Zambia e-visa - then plan a tour or safari in Zambia right away!