- Mwanga (ethnic group)
The Mwanga (also Namwanga or Nyamwanga) are an ethnic group based in northern
Zambia and southwesternTanzania . Their language isNyamwanga . In 1993 the Mwanga population was estimated to number 256,000, with 169,000 living in Zambia and 87,000 in Tanzania [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=TZ] .The Mwanga are said to have originally migrated from the Tanzania north of Zambia. They are pastoral
patrilineal people. This is a system in which one belongs to one's father's lineage; it generally involves the inheritance of property, names or titles through the male line as well. Modern Mwanga tend to overlook some of traditional requirements.The senior chief of the Namwanga people is known as Nawaitwika based in Nakonde district. The current Waitwika is a woman, therefore, referred to as chieftainess. Other chiefs are Kafwimbi, Muyombe and Mwenechifungwe are all based in Isoka District. The main traditional ceremonies practiced by the Namwangas is called Vikamkanimba, Ng’ondo, Chambo Chalutanga and Mulasa.
Unique names
Mwanga have unique
surname s. All the female surnames begin with "Na" while all the male names begin with "Si". Unlike other tribes in Zambia who use such names prefixes to mean 'father-of' or 'mother-of', the Mwanga have the prefixes fixed with their surnames. Therefore common surnames are Siwale with Nawale and Namwila for females, Simukonda and Namukonda, Sikapizye and Nakapizye, Sichalwe etc. Similar names such as Sikazwe may also be found amongst the Mambwes ofMpulungu andMbala districts.Food
Mwanga are
agriculturalist s who growmillet ,peanuts ,beans ,maize and arepastoralist s who keep cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigeons. Traditionally, the Mwanga are fondly known for their love for a slippery vegetable prepared withbaking soda or charcoal ashes which is called "kumbi" in Nyamwanga or "delele " in other Zambian languages likeNyanja . The 'Kumbi' is usually mixed with beans and is served withNsima (a thick maize meal porridge) or as a snack to visitors.Courtship and marriage
The concept of courtship before marriage is traditionally non-existent but in reality it happens as a secret affair. Traditionally, a Mwanga man is the one who seeks out a woman to marry. It is a
taboo for a woman to seek out a man for marriage. The intending man will give a girl/woman some money or beads commonly referred to as 'Insalamu'.cite web|url=http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/african.cfm|title=African Culture & Tradition|work=Wedding Details, Inc.|year=2007|author=Lois Pearce|accessdate=2007-02-24] The girl who accepts the nsalamu agrees to be married. If the parents of the man disapprove his choice, the man is forced to look for another suitor. In the case where a man gets a girl pregnant before marriage, the man is required to pay damages on top of regulardowry payments. These payments are in the form of cattle or the cash equivalent.Religion
Most Mwanga are evangelicals belonging to the United Church of Zambia (UCZ). Others belong to common religious groups such as the
Catholic Church ,Jehovah's Witnesses , theSeventh-day Adventist Church and the AfricanMethodist Church .References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.