Books

Zambia, 3rd: The Bradt Travel Guide by Chris McIntyre This 544-page guidebook, published in 2005, provides much useful information to help you get the most from your travels in Zambia. Expectations of Modernity: Myths and Meanings of Urban Life on the Zambian Copperbelt by James Ferguson Vividly describes the rollercoaster ride that Zambia's economy and society took when vast amounts of copper were discovered within its borders. Interview with Zambian fiction writer Evans Munyemesha It's difficult to find Zambian novelists, so it was a joy to learn of Evans Munyemesha. His first novel, Silent Whispers, doesn't appear to have anything to do with life in Zambia, but his next novel, Stolen Hearts Of Africa, will—if it is ever published. Mr. Munyemesha, in this interview, gives a great descriptions of the creative process behind the writing of fiction.

Zambia: The Country

Livingstone thwarts slave traders Zambia is the country where the famous Dr. Livingstone became "lost." Of course, the area wasn't called Zambia back in 1871 when newspaper reporter Henry Stanley ran into him up north in a slave trading town by Lake Tanganikya in Tanzania. Zambia was just part of "darkest Africa" until Livingstone, a Scottish missionary, explored the region. As Jonathan Swift put it So geographers, in Afric maps, With savage pictures fill their gaps, And o'er unhabitable downs Place elephants for want of towns. Dr. Livingstone is commemorated on this 1973 stamp from Great Britain Livingstone's accounts of his explorations mark a turning point in Zambian history by bringing the area to the awareness of the English-speaking world. The Portuguese, in neighboring Angola and Mozambique, were also beginning to take an interest in Africa's interior regions, and they did not share Livingstone's aversion to exploiting it as a source of slaves. For contrasting accounts of Livingstone's achievements and foibles, see this history page of The Zambian (less flattering) and this Livingstone page of an individual's African safari website (more flattering) Both accounts credit Livingstone with having honorable intentions. They disagree, however, whether the results of his efforts were beneficial to Zambia. More

Stamps of Zambia

The first postage stamps that were used in Zambia were those of the British South Africa Company. Various stamps were issued between 1890 and 1917. Many of these were inscribed or overprinted "Rhodesia". By 1925 Zambia became its own country and started using stamps with its new name, "Northern Rhodesia". This 4½p stamp pictures Cecil Rhodes, after whom the country was named, and Queen Elizabeth II. Starting in 1954, Zambia became part of the Federation of Southern Rhodesia, North­ern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The country shared the use of stamps inscribed "Rhodesia & Nyasaland" until 1963 when it dissolved and Zambia used new designs of Northern Rhodesia stamps once again. Zambia has continued to maintain close ties with Great Britain after its independence, as is evidenced by this 1985 stamp honoring the 85th Anniversary of the British Queen's mother. More

Copyright 2005 Charles Hughes. All Rights Reserved.