Zambian Best Worship Songs

[Danny Hosford]

Traditional Zambian music is rooted in the beliefs and practices of Zambia's various ethnic groups and has suffered some decline in the last three decades.[1] Traditional Zambian music once had clear ritual purposes or was an expression of the social fabric of the culture. Songs were used to teach, to heal, to appeal to spirits, and for mere enjoyment. Despite the decline of traditional music, its influences can still be heard in many of today's Zambian musical forms. The ubiquitous African "call-and-response" can be heard in almost every Zambian song no matter what the style. Traditional drum rhythms and polymeters are evident in many different kinds of Zambian music. Contemporary popular forms such as Zambian Kalindula also exhibit traces of traditional music in the finger-picking style used by guitarists.

Traditional Zambian instruments include a variety of membranophones,[2] both stick-struck and hand-struck. Drums are essential for most traditional dances. Ngoma is the generic central Bantu term for drum but Zambian drums come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and purposes and have specific names depending on their tribal origins and functional roles. The Budima drums of the Valley Tonga, for example, are used specifically for funeral ceremonies. Budima drums have a goblet shape and come in sizes ranging from large to small. One of the most interesting of drums is the so-called "lion drum" (Namalwa in Tonga) used at traditional funerals. This is a friction drum which is not struck at all but which has a stick inserted through the drum head that is rubbed. The silimba is a large 17-note xylophone from Western Province.

Chordophones and aerophones are less common in traditional Zambian music but exist nonetheless. The Valley Tonga play instruments made from animal horns called Nyeele. Nyeele are played using an interlocking technique with individual musicians each playing a single horn and interlocking with other musicians who have Nyeele of different pitches. A chordophone called a kalumbu was traditionally played by young men to signal their desire to marry. Called a 'musical bow' by ethnomusicologists because of its bow shape, the kalumbu is struck by a stick. Like many other central African countries, Zambia once had a vibrant tradition of so-called "thumb pianos," each with a different name depending on tribal origins: the Tonga kankobela is one such thumb piano, the Mbunda "kathandi", the Lozi "kangombio", the Lunda "chisanzhi", the Nsenga "kalimba", etc. Although the use of traditional instruments has declined in recent years, they can still be heard in rural areas of Zambia.

Recordings of traditional Zambian music were made in the mid-twentieth century by Hugh Tracey and Arthur Morris Jones, both well-known ethnomusicologists of African music. Tracey recorded all over Zambia in the 1950s, but also specifically recorded in the Zambezi Valley in 1958 at the request of anthropologist Elizabeth Colson before the creation of the Kariba Dam and Jones did his at Mapanza in Zambia's Southern Province. Catholic missionaries, J. J. Corbeil and Frank Wafer have also contributed to our knowledge of traditional Zambian music. Father Corbeil collected and documented the instrumental tradition of the Bemba in Northeastern Zambia. Frank Wafer, a Jesuit priest located at Chikuni, has collected and preserved Batonga music. A community radio station dedicated to promoting Batonga music and culture is also part of the Chikuni Mission Station. They organize an annual festival of Batonga music which attracts as many as 10,000 visitors according to the organizers. Recent ethnomusicological work has been done by native Zambians such as Mwesa Isaiah Mapoma, Joseph Ng'andu, John Anderson Mwesa and others. Recent field recordings made by native Zambian Michael Baird in Southern Province have been released on his SWP label, as well as producing two excellent compilations of Zambian hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

After independence in 1964, the most important source of popular music was the Zambia National Broadcasting Service and affiliated bands like Lusaka Radio Band who soon changed their name to The Big Gold Six. Record companies soon formed, with most recordings made at Peter Msungilo's DB Studios in Lusaka, and records pressed in Ndola by the Teal Record Company.

The northern, copper-producing area of Zambia was known for singers like John Lushi, William Mapulanga and Stephen Tsotsi Kasumali. Their guitar-based music grew gradually into Zamrock, which used mostly English lyrics in rock songs. Bands included the Machine-Gunners and Musi-o-tunya. The most popular band in Zambian history soon emerged, Jaggari Chanda's Witch.

In the late 1970s, President Kenneth Kaunda ordered that 95% of the music on the radio had to be Zambian. He hoped to encourage the formation of a Zambian national identity. Rather than using their folk roots, however, Zambians attempted to become pop stars. By the mid-1980s, the result was kalindula music. Bands included the Masasu Band, Serenje Kalindula and Junior Mulemena Boys. Amayenge is considered one of the best kalindula bands of the past twenty years. Another top artist is Brian Chilala who, together with his band Ngoma Zasu, continues in the electric kalindula tradition. An annual concert of traditional bands (not just kalindula) was recently begun by the Chikuni Radio station in Chikuni in the Southern Province. Two of the most popular bands from that festival are Green Mamba and Mashombe Blue Jeans.[3] In addition, artists such as Alfred Chisala Kalusha Jr. based their compositions on "Imfukutu" - Bemba folk music.

In the 1990s, economic problems caused the collapse of the Zambian music industry. Unfettered by rules promoting Zambian music, the airwaves were covered with imported ragga and reggae from Jamaica and hip hop and R&B from the United States.

The most successful record label currently operating in Zambia is Romaside entertainment, Sling beats, Blaza, G-sounds, Alpha Entertainment and X.Y.Z Entertainment. Their stable of artists includes J.K., Slap Dee, Macky 2, Chef 187, joe chibangu, Jay Brown (Son of the most High), hamoba, Ty2, Bobby East, Zone fam and Jay Roxer, J.o.b, Stevo, Muzo aka Alfonso, Petersen, Izreal, Corta Nac City, Danny, Shatel, Black Muntu, pilato, Mampi, Tommy Dee, South African based chilu lemba and the Algerian based rapper T.I.D.Y and not forgetting the Pylot African Sun. Sound clips of each of these groups can be heard at their website (see below). The Zambian entertainment industry recognizes popular musicians such as these at its annual Ngoma Awards. The Ngoma Awards amount to a Zambian version of the all-Africa Kora Awards. At the moment K'Millian, Macky 2, Slap dee, Chef 187 are the very popular artists.A unique hybrid form of Zambian music is found in the so-called "banjo" tradition. The Zambian "banjo" (pronounced 'bahn-jo') is essentially a homemade guitar. A wide variety of such instruments can be found in different sizes and with varying numbers of strings. Most are played using a two or three finger picking style and the tuning of each instrument is unique to that instrument. The body is made in various shapes from wood or sometimes tin cans, and the strings or 'wires' often come from discarded radial tires. Zambian banjos are used in kalindula bands throughout Zambia.

Popular influences can also be heard in the newer repertory, some of which is borrowed from urban contemporary gospel, some from so-called "contemporary Christian music" from the United States, and some from Zambian popular idioms. The use of electronic synthesizers and guitars has also made its way into the church. The flow of influence between church music and the popular realm can also be heard in recordings by groups such as Lumbani Madoda, Zambian Acapella, Lota House and Hosanna Band which has been disbanded.

The influence of Euro-American hymnody is also evident in the music of many Zambian congregations. Hymns from British and American hymnals continue to be part of the musical fabric of many churches, and many harmonic practices are derived from Western hymn influences. Invented by John Curwen, the system Tonic Sol-fa was imported into Africa by the British in the nineteenth century. The Heritage Singers Choir, the Heritage Brothers Quartet, and church helped popularise this form of harmonious music worldwide.

Mrs. Bush's Remarks to National Press Club Newsmakers Luncheon
National Press Club
Washington, D.C. Photos
12:09 P.M. EDTMRS. BUSH: Thank you all. Thank you, Jerry. Thanks everybody.The promise that I would never have to give a political speech wasactually our pre-nup. (Laughter.) But it did -- I also promised that Iwould run with George, be a jogger with him -- and I never once did it,so I guess I don't feel that bad about his breaking the promise. I'mhappy to actually speak and to have this opportunity to speak to all ofyou.Thank you, Jerry, very much. Thank you for your kind introduction.Thank you, Katherine, the event organizer. Thank you for asking mehere. And I want to say a special thanks to the people who have joinedme today that I invited to sit on the head table, and that's AmbassadorMark Dybul, the Global AIDS Coordinator. Thank you very much, Mark, forjoining us. Ambassador John Danilovich, the Millennium ChallengeCorporation CEO. Thank you, John. Bruce Wilkinson, who is the Directorof RAPIDS. And Bruce really represents today at the head table all ofthe charitable and faith-based non-government organizations that are onthe ground in Africa -- organizations that our government uses to makesure we can reach into every community as we work to try to eradicatemalaria or AIDS.I also have on my paper, but I don't see him here, that Admiral TimZiemer, who is the U.S. Malaria Coordinator, is here.What about Dr.Sarah Moten? There is Dr. Moten, I see her here. Is Admiral Ziemerhere? Oh, there he is right there, good. Thank you very much forjoining us. Dr. Moten is the USAID Director of the Africa EducationInitiative, and thank you, Sarah, very much for being here.Members of the press, congressional staff, distinguished guests, thankyou for your welcome back to the National Press Club. Many of you areprint reporters, so you might appreciate the fact that yesterday, Ivisited the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut.Mark Twain, oneof our greatest American writers got his start as a print journalist.Despite the fact that some of his earliest work was published innewspapers, Twain didn't seem to have much use for them. He once said,"Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied on in newspapers."(Laughter.) I was going to tease you all about this -- until I readwhat he said about presidents.(Laughter.)I know that the Q&A session is the centerpiece of the Press Club'sNewsmaker Luncheon, so I thought I'd start by addressing a fundamentalquestion about the United States involvement in development in Africa,and that is, why? Why would we spend our time and money working on thatcontinent?African development is an issue that President Bush and I care aboutvery deeply. It's an issue that's drawn the attention of our formerpresidents, of world leaders, of heads of businesses and religiousgroups, of artists and musicians, and compassionate people the worldover. And in recent interviews, your colleagues have asked me the samequestions many of you are probably asking, and that is: When there areproblems in so many countries around the world, why are so many eyesturned to this place, at this time? Why Africa?Every year, the American taxpayers spend more than $6.5 billion onAfrican development. We're able to provide these resources because ourhistory has yielded a free and prosperous nation. In Africa, however,history has been less kind. Colonialism, the slave trade, poverty, andwar have each, by turns, devastated the continent. In recent decades,African nations have faced a new deadly threat, and that's a pandemicdisease that claim millions of lives every year.Despite these challenges, the people of Africa remain hopeful.If youask, "Why Africa?" one answer is that there is now unprecedentedoptimism that these challenges can be overcome. In fact, a recent pollshowed that most Africans believe they are better off today than theywere five years ago, and that they're encouraged about the prospects forfuture generations.They report greater confidence in their governments -- which, withtechnical and financial support from the United States and otherdeveloped countries, are beginning to devise solutions to poverty, lackof education and disease.The philosophy behind these solutions is real partnership betweengovernments. Because the United States has a thriving economy, we'reable to provide some resources for development efforts around the world.The leadership for these efforts comes from the developing nations,themselves.Our aid initiatives are effective because countries in Africa devisetheir own national development strategies. Before the U.S. providesmoney, our partner governments devise how they'll invest in expensiveinfrastructure, and combat poverty, malaria, lack of education, andAIDS. The ultimate goal of all these development partnerships islong-term, sustainable economic growth. We know that people who arehealthy and educated are more likely to prosper. And we know thatsocieties with strong economies are more likely to be able to sustaintransparent governments that are accountable to their people.Our partnerships with the countries of Africa are yielding progress.Across the continent, college degrees are being completed; roads andairports are being built; and lives are being saved. Last month, Itraveled to the African nations of Senegal, Mozambique, Zambia and Mali.This was my third trip to Africa on my own. I visited schools andvillages, clinics and hospitals, micro-credit programs and communitycenters supported by the American people -- and I saw many signs of thisprogress.I visited programs that are helping the people of these nations buildeducated, prosperous and just societies. If you ask, "Why Africa?", oneanswer is that it is in our country's interest to stand with governmentsthat bring stability and opportunity to their people. We've learnedthat it's in our urgent interest to invest in successful governmentsnow, so that we don't have to pay the price for failed governments downthe road.The last time I addressed the National Press Club was in November 2001,to speak about the events of September 11th. The attacks of that dayreminded us that misery and oppression on another continent can manifestthemselves on the next block -- a lesson that has been re-taught incities from London to Madrid to Jakarta. We've learned that nationsthat value human freedom are more likely to be our partners inmaintaining security. And we know that nations that value educationaland economic freedom for all their citizens are more likely to be ourpartners in fostering prosperity.On my trip, I visited programs that invest in educational opportunitiesfor African children. I met with students who benefit from ourgovernment's Africa Education Initiative. Launched in 2002, AEI is a$600 million program that will provide scholarships to 550,000 Africangirls, and train more than 900,000 teachers, by the year 2010.At the Grand Medine Primary School in Dakar, Senegal, I met with fiveyoung women who are receiving AEI Ambassadors' Girls Scholarships. Theycome from rural Senegalese villages -- their villages are withoutelectricity or running water. In that village, education for women israre. One of the young women, Nango Dang, hopes to become the firstgirl in her village to ever go to college. And since her community hasno nurses or doctors, she wants to study medicine so she can return toher village and serve her people.I helped distribute books produced through the AEI's Textbooks andLearning Materials program. Six African countries have partnered withsix American universities -- primarily minority-serving universities --to produce 15 million school textbooks. Through the program, more thana million books that are Africa-centered, tailored to the culture andcurriculum of Senegal, written in French, printed in Senegal are beingdelivered to that nation's schools.Many of these books were pilot-tested at Grand Medine School. For thefirst time, the school's math texts teach basic statistics. From theirhealth books, the students learn how to prevent HIV/AIDS. They go homeand inform their parents that mosquitoes transmit malaria, and they passalong lessons about basic first aid. Grand Medine teachers say theirstudents are so excited by these new books that they skip ahead of theirteachers and can't wait for the next lessons.On my trip, I also saw programs that invest in economic opportunity forAfrica. My day in Mozambique, by coincidence, was the same day thatcountry's half-billion-dollar Millennium Challenge Compact was approvedin the United States. It was fun to be in Maputo with Mozambique'sPresident Guebuza to celebrate.In 2002, President Bush proposed the Millennium Challenge Corporation,which Congress established in 2004, to encourage governments to investin their own people, foster economic freedom, and become moretransparent. Through MCC, nations led by accountable governments devisetheir own development strategies, based on the needs of their countries.Once they've been approved by the MCC compact, the corporation providesMCC countries with the money to achieve their strategy.The infrastructure these countries built with MCC help gives people inthese nations the resources they need to improve education, to createjobs, and to sustain economic growth long after MCC sunsets. When I wasin Mozambique, President Guebuza explained how the MCC compact will helphis country upgrade its roads, improve agriculture, invest in watertreatment and wells, and strengthen property rights.In Mozambique and Mali, which is also an MCC country, leaders told mehow this initiative is giving their nations the first real chancethey've ever had to take charge of their own development agendas. MCCresources support African governments as they take on difficult reforms,and work to lift their citizens out of poverty. If Congress makesfunding the MCC a priority, the American people can continue to supportgovernments that will use the money wisely to build up their countries,and to foster accountability and justice.If you ask, "Why Africa?", one answer is that we have a moral obligationto help. The American people believe that every life, in every land,has value and dignity.Many Americans are called to help others meetthese basic human needs. Our country's citizens provide food and cleanwater so that mothers can see their children grow up healthy. Weprovide books and teachers, so that people can read and write.Ourcountry supports doctors, medicines, and basic care, so that people canenjoy the blessings of good health.The things we take for granted here in the United States have anenormous impact on the lives of people in Africa. In Zambia, I visitedthe Regiment School, which benefits from an innovative solution to oneof the greatest development challenges in Africa: the lack of cleanwater.Every 15 seconds, a child dies because of water-relatedillnesses. The work of fetching water keeps children out of school, andis the central daily task for women and girls.At the Regiment School, the water supply was once so limited, theprincipal had to ask children to carry their own water from home. Nowstudents have steady access to clean water, thanks to the U.S.government, the Case Foundation, and other partners.These partners joined to finance the Regiment School's PlayPump: achildren's merry-go-round that's attached to a storage tank and a waterpump. When the wheel turns, clean drinking water is produced.The pumpis fueled by a limitless source of energy: children at play.(Applause.) The Regiment School's Playpump is one of 4,000 that thispartnership will build to provide 10 million Africans with clean waterby the year 2010.In Mozambique, very simple technologies protect people from thedevastating epidemic of malaria. This treatable and preventable disease-- which we eradicated in the United States half a century ago -- claimsmore than a million African lives every year. Somewhere in Africa, amother loses her baby to malaria every 30 seconds. The disease imposesa crushing burden on developing African economies. When children aresick with malaria, they can't be in school. When adults are sick withmalaria, they can't work.Doctors, nurses and caregivers treating malaria patients can't devotetheir time and resources to other health challenges -- like cholera,tuberculosis, or AIDS.In some countries, malaria consumes 40 percentof spending on public health. In Mozambique -- where malaria is theleading cause of death -- the illness accounts for 40 percent ofoutpatient consultations, 60 percent of pediatric inpatients, and athird of pediatric hospital deaths. If malaria were eradicated on theAfrican continent, an enormous burden would be lifted from nations'already weakened health infrastructure.In 2005, President Bush launched the President's Malaria Initiative: afive-year program to combat malaria in the hardest-hit African nations.So far, the initiative has distributed life-saving medicines,insecticide sprays, and mosquito nets to millions of people across thecontinent. By the end of next year, 70 percent of families living ineight President's Malaria Initiative countries will be protected byinsecticide-treated nets.I visited Mozambique's remote Mozal village, which receives bed netsprovided through PMI -- and is treated with mosquito-sprays supported bythe Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Amid Mozal'scluster of tiny huts lives the Arbino family. Jose and Ana Arbino arethe proud parents of four precious children. They've suffered as allparents do when their babies are sick, watching their children come downwith the tell-tale fever.On the day I visited, the Arbinos had a scare when their baby girl wastaken to the hospital with malaria symptoms. Fortunately, her test cameback negative.Too many children in Mozambique are not so lucky -- butwith sprays and nets, parents and children of Mozal can look forward toa life free from malaria.If you ask, "Why Africa?", one answer is that what we're doing in Africaworks.We've developed successful models for development based onstrong partnerships with African governments. Our initiatives are alsoworking because we partner with other developed nations. And with allof our development programs, we partner with the private sector.President Bush has called on foundations, businesses, religious groups,and private citizens to join the fight against poverty and pandemicdisease.Across Africa, we're seeing the success of these partnerships --especially in our efforts to address one of the greatest humanitarianchallenges of all time: the crisis of HIV/AIDS. Around the world,nearly 40 million people are infected.AIDS respects no nationalboundaries; spares no race or religion; devastates men and women, richand poor.AIDS is a problem in our own country, where more than a million peopleare living with HIV. Since 2001, the U.S. government has devotedapproximately $18 billion to domestic HIV/AIDS research, and providednearly $90 billion for treatment and care -- increasing annual fundingby 47 percent.Government initiatives also promote voluntary testing,so that more Americans can know their status and help prevent the spreadof HIV/AIDS here at home.This disease's most devastating toll, though, is felt in sub-SaharanAfrica, which represents about 26 million of the world's HIV infections.In 2003, President Bush announced the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief: afive-year, $15 billion initiative to combat HIV/AIDS in 120 countriesaround the world. In the years since, thanks to the strong bipartisansupport in Congress, our country has met this pledge -- and our actualcommitment over five years will exceed $18 billion.The Emergency Plan works in partnership with the hardest-hit countries,and that partnership is saving lives. When President Bush announcedPEPFAR at the beginning of 2003, only 50,000 people in sub-SaharanAfrica were thought to be receiving antiretroviral treatment. Now, inPEPFAR's 15 focus nations, the United States has helped providetreatment for more than a million people.PEPFAR has supported care for more than 2 million orphans and vulnerablechildren. And in its first three-and-a-half years, PEPFAR has supportedservices for pregnant women to avoid transmission of HIV to their babies-- preventing more than 100,000 infant infections through March of thisyear. This direct medical care keeps people in good health. Andeducation is spreading hope. Millions are now learning to live with HIV-- instead of waiting to die from it.This is the beginning of a long journey. The challenges of thispandemic remain immense, and there is much to be done.We must focus onHIV prevention, which is essential to winning the fight against AIDS.Just last year, there were more than 4 million new HIV infections. Witheach infection we prevent, we keep one person alive and healthy -- butwe also protect their partner, and we keep their children from beingorphaned.PEPFAR supports the most comprehensive, evidence-based preventionprogram in the world. Our interventions are tailored to each focusnation -- targeting sexual behavior, mother-to-child transmission, andunsafe blood and medical injections, depending on the needs of eachcountry. Through PEPFAR, the U.S. has supported nearly 19 millioncounseling and testing sessions. When people know their status, theycan protect themselves and their loved ones from HIV.In developing prevention methods, the United States is following thelead of our African partners. We support the ABC model of AIDSprevention, which was developed by Africans -- and which has led todramatic declines in HIV infection rates in young men and women. Peopleare changing their behavior, and all three are the essential components:Abstinence, Being faithful, and the Correct and Consistent use ofCondoms.Promising trends are emerging in countries that have embraced ABC,including Uganda, Botswana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia. In Kenya,HIV prevalence has dropped from a peak of about 10 percent in themid-1990s to just above 6 percent today. Data suggest that Kenyan menare having fewer sexual partners; women are delaying their sexual debut;and people who were once sexually active are now abstaining. Women whodo engage in risky behavior report an increased use of condoms.At the Regiment School, 300 students are AIDS orphans -- so the diseaseis personal, and real, to this community. Painted on the school'sperimeter wall and classroom buildings are messages promoting abstinenceand HIV-prevention. PEPFAR supports Regiment's Anti-AIDS Drama Club,which uses dances, skits, and songs to open dialogue and reduce stigma.Ambassador Dybul and I watched one of their performances. After theskit, the club performed a song with powerful, determined lyrics. Theysang, "We are fighters against HIV and AIDS. Keep the promise againstHIV and AIDS."President Bush is determined to keep our country's promise against HIVand AIDS. In May, he announced that he'll work with Congress to buildon the Emergency Plan's early success, and to reauthorize the programfor another 5 years. He has proposed doubling the American people'sinitial commitment to $30 billion. This increase would bring theoverall U.S. pledge to a remarkable total of more than $48 billion over18 years -- over 10 years, that is -- the largest commitment by anynation to fight a disease in human history.I'd like to urge members of Congress to support -- and in Washington, ofcourse that means fund -- this important initiative. The world isalready showing its support: This June, after President Bush proposeddoubling PEPFAR, the G8 nations responded by pledging $60 billion tofight tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.Throughout my trip, I met people who benefit from our country's promiseagainst HIV and AIDS. In Mozambique, at the PEPFAR-supported MaputoPediatric Hospital, I met with children participating in the PositiveArt project. This program gives children a creative outlet forexpression while they, or their moms, are being treated for HIV. Whilethe kids paint, their mothers enjoy Positive Tea time.This is aterrific support group, because even though about 16 percent ofMozambique's population is living with HIV, the disease still carries ahuge stigma.Positive Tea brings the HIV-positive mothers together to support oneanother, and to listen to one another's concerns. One of theHIV-positive mothers, Julia, shared the story of her HIV treatment andher two-year-old daughter's chemotherapy. It was when Julia's littlegirl first became sick with blood cancer that Julia had her tested forHIV -- and her daughter's result came back positive. But with supportfrom PEPFAR, both Julia and her baby girl are living positively.I was especially touched by the programs I saw in Zambia. More than 16percent of the country's adult population has HIV/AIDS, and the diseasehas made orphans out of more than 700,000 Zambian children. In Lusaka,I visited Chreso Ministries, which is run by the Gospel OutreachFellowship. All of the Chreso clinic's antiretrovirals are provided byPEPFAR. In Chreso's worship hall, I met with patients and careproviders. One woman, Patricia, told us about the pain of stigma --about losing her job when people found out she was positive. Anotherwoman explained how out of her family of 29, only 14 are still alive --and 12 of them are HIV-positive. One man, Jonathan -- a married fatherof four -- explained that he was so weak f