DUTCH PHILOSOPHER URGES NATIONAL UNITY THROUGH TRADITION AND CULTURE

THE NETHERLANDS based African Studies Centre (ASC) Professor of
Foundations of Intercultural Philosophy Wim van Binsbergen has said
culture and tradition are important rallying points for national
unity.

Prof Van Binsbergen who visited Zambia for two weeks to foster
relationships between European and Zambian researchers and attended
the 23rd Kazanga Traditional Ceremony of the Nkoya in Kaoma, said
multi-ethnicity, diversity of traditions and cultures were important
to national building and development.

He said, “Culture is still very vital in Zambia and that it is a means
to unite the people and to bring them back to their history and
therefore to their roots which they share with their own ethnic group
and in fact with all other people in Zambia.”

Prof Van Binsbergen, (www.shikanda.net), an author of 30 books among
them, “Tears of Rain: Ethnicity and History in Central Western Zambia”
(1992) on the Nkoyas had meetings with University of Zambia (UNZA)
researchers and was guest of The Kazanga Cultural Association.

He said, “If you want this country to work, the message from history
is also the message from the future. We may be cherishing our own
tradition but make sure it is part of the wide whole and the wide
whole is what counts.”
Prof Van Binsbergen who described Zambian traditional ceremonies as
unforgettable and appreciated Zambia’s traditions and cultures
including its multilingualism as important building blocks for
national unity.

He also observed that earlier Kazangas were a “total
mix of Nkoya culture” with a vocal and articulate role for Lunda
joking relationship. Kazangas was then of hunting, healing,
initiation, royal dances, plus the dances of other ethnic groups.

He said this in a farewell interview with Kasebamashila Kaseba at
Arcades Protea Hotel last week in Lusaka before departure for The
Netherlands en route to France.

Kazanga (Kaoma) Ceremony chairperson Fridah Luhila and Kazanga Kabompo Chairman Shiyama Kutoha who was organizing the Kazanga Kabompo ceremony scheduled for this Saturday attended the interview.