Tribalism in Zambia

This book is a desire borne out of the desperation of heart to see our nation united, and our tribes living together in diversity under the Zambian flag. During the struggle for independence the Zambian people (tribes) fought as one to eliminate their common enemy called colonialism. After Independence the Zambian people decided to live as one and adopted the national motto" One Zambia One Nation'', singing songs like "Tiyende Pamodzi Ndi Mutima Umo". Our national history has given us a very precise picture of our nation from its inception to where we are today. This history is not devoid of tribal conflicts, resulting from different perceptions at certain points in our history, but again the great people of this great nation have often banded together to overcome their tribal differences, as victors over this enemy of our unity.
However, in the recent past Zambia has seen the ugly face of toxic tribalism attempting to take centre stage of our nation, much more the political stage, and slowly spilling into the minds of our traditional and church leaders. In fact, the enemy of our unity and peace has come with a lot of energy as it can be seen by our attitudes towards people of a different tribe from ours, political affiliation, and different regions. It is because of these reasons that the hearts of many Zambians are desperate to see a united Zambia. This is why I want to add my thoughts about the importance of unity and peace. In this book, I try to look at some of the past positive and negative events in the formation of our nation. I also look at some of the current events in the nation of Zambia. I consider some of the events unifying these beautiful tribes before and after independence; for this is very important as the saying goes a person without a history has no present and no future! It is a desire to briefly show the younger generation where the nation of Zambia is coming from and where we are today.
It is true our older generations may understand and appreciate the need for unity and peace the manner we have lived all along, but it is also true that our younger generation does not have this history and have not experienced it. What they see and hear is how different we are by names, languages, regions and the disunity being preached now in many corners of our society and this for them may become the norm, which may consequently breed hate and anarchy.