In the Spotlight - Zambia
Hazukashii
In the Spotlight – Zambia
By Ed “Hazukashii” Howell
6 May 2023
Zambia is one of 44 landlocked countries around the world. Located in southern Africa, it is surrounded by (in clockwise order) The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Known as Northern Rhodesia until 1964, Zambia was renamed on 24 October 1964 upon gaining its independence from the United Kingdom. The capital city is Lusaka.
Zambia is probably best known for the natural wonder of Victoria Falls. This amazing site can only be truly appreciated by seeing it in person, and probably best viewed from the Zimbabwe side. The Kololo tribe that lives near there describe it as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (The Smoke that Thunders), as the spray from the cascading waters creates a huge mist cloud in the rainy season, often partially blocking the view. Spanning nearly two kilometers, with a drop of over 100 meters, it is one of the world’s largest waterfalls.
Another common attraction is the Safari, where you can get a good viewing of “The big 5” . . . Elephants, Buffalos, Leopards, Lions, and the Rhinoceros. Take a game drive through some amazing national parks, and you will get to see those and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
Looking through the HHH Genealogy, it shows that there has been only one hash club in Zambia, the Lusaka H3. Their first run was on 19 September 1981, and was founded by Jeremy 'Granny' Tunnacliffe who had previously come from the Bujumbura H3 in Burundi. Granny was assisted by Tony Eagan and George 'Beep Beep' Georgopolous. The Lusaka H3 hashes on Saturday afternoons, and will host their 2250th trail next weekend.
I recently had the pleasure of running with the Lusaka H3. We had a group of 18 hashers on a prelube to the Pan Africa Hash in Malawi, and we visited Zambia for a few days taking in a safari and other sightseeing. I had made early contact with the hash to let them know we would be visiting and planned to set a hash trail near our hotel . . . and added . . . “You are all most welcome to come join us. OR, if you would like to set a trail for us . . . that would be AWESOME.” Well, the hashpatality overflowed as the GM replied that they would be happy to arrange a trail for us, and they even sent a bus to pick us all up.
It was about an hour to the run site, and right from the start when we offloaded from the bus, we could tell this was going to be a good day. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and made us feel right at home. Once all 30 hashers had assembled (19 from the Lusaka H3 and 11 of the prelube crew), it was on out for trail, which was 5 kms of good old single track dirt trails through the countryside. The trail was most excellent, on rolling hills and through scrub brush, and eventually wound its way back to home base. Beer was immediately flowing from the makeshift bar, and smiles were on every face. After numerous beers had been consumed, we circled up for the usual entertainment, and we enjoyed all the fun. Then, when the Swing Low had faded off into the darkness, the food line opened up and they filled our bellies with BBQ beef, chicken, and sausages, along with an assortment of salads and rolls.
What a great day. If you ever get the chance to visit Zambia, plan to join the Lusaka H3 on Saturday afternoon. For many more articles like this on the history of hashing, check out . . . http://gotothehash.net/history/inthespotlight.html