NSHIMA: ZAMBIA'S STAPLE FOOD

Nshima with relish (Miwzenge S. Tembo, Ph.D.)

Because I like food and find anything new and exotic interesting, I'll try it (barring, of course, some proteins that I might not be able to stomach). I have been wandering cyberspace in search of different Zambian foods in preparation for my volunteer placement, and came upon some informative articles about Zambians' staple foods.

It seems that Zambians rely on tubers and grains for their main dish, nshima, sort of like rice in the Philippines. Rice is used in various ingredients, including deserts, but is eaten most commonly as the plain, boiled form. Like Filipinos, Zambians eat nshima with side dishes, which has been most plaintively called "relish" (ndiwo). Like the "ulam" for Filipinos, the purpose of the relish is to accentuate nshima, rather than to dominate it. Ndiwo are usually made from poultry, dried kapenta fish, or wild greens. These ingredients are sometimes simmered into tasty stews, not unlike the meal illustrated in the photograph highlighted in this blog.

In an earlier blog, I mentioned that maize has become a staple for Zambians because it seems to grow well in the wetter, northern regions of the country. For this reason, nshima is most commonly made from maize, although other vegetables, such as cassava, potatoes, or sorghum, have also been made into nshima.

The relatively inexpensive price of maize also contributes to its status as the Zambian staple and iconic value in Zambian culture. Apparently, the cultural status of nshima is equivalent to the taro in Native Hawaiian society in that Native Hawaiians view themselves as having come from the taro plant. Perhaps to assert that Zambians are nshima is premature at this point - I haven't made it to the country, yet. But, Dr. Tembo implies this when he describes the preparation of nshima as being a community affair.

Also like the Filipinos, Zambians have traditionally eaten with their hands. Washing one's hands, therefore, is important for cleanliness and is a moral ritual. 

Dr. Tembo offers this rather simple recipe to try.
4 Cups Water
2 Cups plain corn meal
Boil 4 cups of water in a pot. Gradually add the corn meal into the boiling water until the 2 cups have been added. Stir the mixture until it boil sand thickens.Once the mixture has thickened, simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.

The preparation of ndiwo is somewhat more complicated, as the wild greens have to be cured and intricately prepared to get the right texture. I suggest reading Dr. Tembo's blog to understand how to do this:
<http://people.bridgewater.edu/~mtembo/menu/nshima/nshima.shtml>



Fundraising Updating:
Jon Loper contributed this week, which brings the grand total to $385. Help me break $400 this weekend by sponsoring me with a $10 donation, now.

A BETTER ORIENTATION TO THE SINAZONGWE DISTRICT

Location of Sinazongwe, next to Lake Kariba (in blue).

I was perusing the internet and came upon a Red Cross Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VAC) report about the Sinazongwe District. Because I will be placed here, I thought it good to better acquaint myself with the district, following up on a previous blog, which highlighted some of the broad geographical characteristics of the district. The Red Cross report gave important information about education, health, and livelihoods, in which I thought many of you might have great interest.

The Sinazongwe District, populated by 11,528 people, is an elongated area situated at the very southern part of Zambia, comprised of two Chiefdoms: the Sinazongwe and the Mweemba. It is just to the northeast of Livingston, another major city in Zambia. It is a mountainous district with small pockets of settlements in the lowlands. The location of the district at the vortex of major roads leading to cities, Maamba, Choma, and Malima, has influenced the development of it into a rest stop for travellers.

The ethnic groups, who make up the Sinazongwe District, are the Valley Tonga. The primary livelihood here is livestock, specifically cattle and goats, and fishing. The reason so much of the economy depends on these two primary sectors is because the district is generally extremely arid and has had problems with droughts in past years. This was especially the case in the early 2000, when the area benefitted from very little rain. As such, agricultural crops are difficult to raise in the district, creating many food and economic challenges for the residents. Nevertheless, the Tonga people who reside in the valleys cultivate small plots of land of less than a hectare. The condition of the soil in the valley, moreover, are not very fertile, which poses another food access challenge for the people.

In 2007, however, the Sinazongwe district was victim to severe flooding, which took out the bridge connecting it to Lusaka and other major city ports around the country. About 100 houses, made of mud, were decimated. The district is still reeling from the impact of the floods.

The district is also home to the largest, if not the only, coal mining industry in Zambia, which has resulted in the population growth and development of the district. The conditions of the mine, however, have not met safety standards and is on its last breath. The district government is hoping to sell it if it can find a buyer. The mine, unfortunately, has led to environmental and health problems for the community, so continuing to mine coal may not be such a fortuitious endeavor, especially because maintenance and improvement would cost the prospective company and the district government some money to upgrade.

Land tenure is designated as Trust and Traditional. The former falls under the control of the President vis-a-vis the Commissioner of Lands, whereas Traditional land tenure is the domain of the Chief, who then determines occupancy and use rights allocations. Men usually make the decisions on land use, while women are relatively dis-empowered in this domain.

Public transportation is available, but most roads are not paved. The only ones that are paved lead to the mine and to service areas, an indication that development of the transportation system has been connected to major corporate investment projects. While electric power is available in select towns in the district, telecommunications is poor, which creates a problem for me. I think this means I have to come up with an alternative means of communicating my progress in my placement during my tenure here.

Sanitation throughout the district is also poor. The drought conditions create problems with water availability. The paucity and unsophisticated sewage and water infrastructure causes health problems and makes residents susceptible to cholera outbreaks and to diarrhea outbreaks, both of which contribute to dehydration and later death. There is a desire to build more pit latrines as well as a well-designed water infrastructure that allows residents to access clean and drinking water. Presently, they gather water from the streams and do not boil them.

The health problems associated with poor sanitary conditions is compounded by HIV/AIDS and malaria. Malaria vaccines are, therefore, greatly needed by the residents. HIV/AIDS is exacerbated by prostitution in the area. Girls are known to be sold into prostitution due to household poverty. Respiratory tract infection, because of the district's mining activities, have also been discovered to be a major health issue among the residents.

One of the weaknesses of the district is in education. The Red Cross VAC documented 40 schools offering education from the first grade through high school. The report gave no mention of vocational training programs for adults in basic construction skills or in skills that would augment livelihood activities for a larger market. Vocational training programs might help the district move in the direction of future sustainability if the right skills and knowledge were offered.

In the next blog, I will write more about food production and food security in the district.

Lake Kariba

Makonkoto School

Distressed Man

(All images on this blog are courtesy of picsearch.com)

Fundraising Note: This weekend, I received more donations from residents in Amherst. Thank you to Susan, Robert, and my aunt, Chona. My old floor mate in Cashin Hall at UMASS-Amherst also helped my with my fundraising effort. Together, they gave $95 this weekend, which brings my total funds raised to $375. Thank you once again to everyone who has sponsored me. I hope to break $400 by next weekend.

THE COMPLEXITY OF LAND USE AND LAND LAWS IN ZAMBIA

Why is understanding land use and land use laws important?

Land has been credited for securing means to a livelihood and hence for building wealth. Because land renders socio-economic assets, under conditions of land constraints and/or scarcity, land has been a reason for ethnic conflicts and civil wars. In Third World countries, land is conventionally regulated as a common-use resource, albeit owned by a chieftain. Therefore, laws affecting land use and the resources featured within the land spaces are imposed from above. When exogenous actors gain access to land and corresponding resources as an outcome of political relationships, such as colonialism, foreign-trade, etc., local village access and entitlements are restricted. Understanding land use is, therefore critical to understanding how to manage and regulate land ownership and use.

Land use, access, and management in Zambia, not unlike other developing countries, has been affected by trade and colonial relations. Land ownership today is guided by customary law and common law. The former, customary law, stems from African customs and is the method by which Zambians conduct their land activities, which include contractual claims regarding marital inheritance, ownership, and disputes. Zambians mediate land activities in the local courts, which in judicial language means the lower district courts.

Common law is derived from the establishment of the English colonial government in 1924, which placed significant hectares of land as Reserves or that of the British Crown. The latter was open to only Europeans, an edict that forcibly evacuated Zambians, but reserves were open to Africans. Reserved lands are located in some of the most agriculturally prime areas. After colonialism ended in 1964, Zambia acquired formerly Crown lands that are now designated as State Land, Freehold, Reserves, and Trust lands.Reserves and Trust lands fall under the de-facto management rights of the Chieftains, although power is diluted, and is a status that was extended to them as a diplomatic gesture. Much of commercial agriculture in Zambia are held in State land, the bounties of which are channeled to urban areas. Now, 94 percent of lands fall under the administration of the Zambian government.

Like most countries, gender ownership has been delayed by customary laws limiting land ownership to men. Civic groups have proselytized for equal opportunity in land ownership laws, arguing that women in ownership of land will encourage productivity because they are likely to invest more in land they own, reduce economic hardship, as land is the gateway to livelihoods, and will empower women, overall.

The climate of Zambia differs across the country, modified by altitude. The southern western areas, home of the Luangwa Valley, are very arid and are prone to erosion, while other parts, specifically the Zambezi area, are flood prone. Around the Zambezi region, rain fall (precipitation) can average as high as 55 inches. Agricultural development is challenged by climatic variations and land use history.

I thank Martin Adams and the Online Edition of Britannica for improving my knowledge of Zambian land use laws.

FUNDRAISING UPDATE: I am now at $280, which includes the checks I have collected at the door and over Christmas. I would like to break $300 by this weekend. Please visit "My Fundraising Page" to the left of this blog and donate today.

Bangweulu Swamps. Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/120057/Swamps-

Zambia. Map. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/70837/>.]

ABOUT ZAMBIA: GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

Zambia (map courtesy of EveryCulture.com)

Whenever I tell people in Sunderland and Amherst and the surrounding areas about my placement in Zambia, many ask me where exactly is Zambia, how large is it, and how many people live there? So, I decided to devote this blog to informing those not familiar with Zambia with demographic, geographic, and other interesting cultural tidbits to orient them, as well as me, to the background, yet very pertinent, information that will help me in my placement. I found this really nice map on Everyculture.com and thought it nice to add it here as a way of helping everyone visualize the location of this country on the African continent.

As you can see from this map, Zambia is landlocked and is surrounded by neighboring Mozambique, Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the immediate south, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north. As I have mentioned in other blogs, Lusaka is the capital city and is very modern and populated. The country is made up of wildlife, undulating hills and mountains, and natural water resources. The Victorian Falls, located in the southern region, is one of the main destinations for enterprising tourists.

Because most development takes place in the major cities of Zambia, most of the 9.87 million people living around the country reside in cities. In fact, almost half of the population are in urban areas, where most of the jobs are. Rural residents, who rely primarily on subsistence farming, comprise most migrants, but Zambia has also accepted refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.

Although Zambia is known for being a British colony (1924-1964), it was also occupied by other European nations, such as Portugal, and has had its fair share of missionaries. David Livingstone, to whom one of the cities is commemorated, was an industrious missionary, who fought to end slavery in Zambia. There are seventy five different tribes residing throughout the nation who live relatively peacefully with each other. The main tribes are the Bemba, Nagoni, Lozi, Chewa, Chokwe, Lunda, Luvale, Tonga, and Tumbuka, which also reflect the major geographical languages. The large ethnic diversity, however, is mediated by the "One Nation, One Zambia" ideology, promulgated and promoted by former President, Kaunda.

The food culture is another important and interesting characteristic of Zambia, but is best left for another blog date.

Fundraising note: Many thanks to my cousin, Abe, who donated yesterday. His gift brings my total to $255.

AIDS EPIDEMIC IN ZAMBIA

AIDS has become a national epidemic in Zambia. The very first case was reported in 1984, but the number of Zambians with AIDS has grown considerably. One of the reasons for the increase is because then-President Kaunda had not addressed the spreading disease, having kept it a secret, until his son died of AIDS, after which he retracted his policy of secrecy and announced that AIDS was a national problem.

President Mwanawasa openly declared AIDS as a widespread disease and vowed to medically treat over 10,000 aids patients with the antiretroviral drug. Today, one in five adults has AIDS and, as of 2007, 98,000 are being treated with the anti retroviral drug. This number is especially concentrated among women and young girls, especially between the ages of fifteen and twenty four. Children, overall, have been greatly impacted by the spreading disease. In 2009, Zambia reported 801,000 children with AIDS; they are often abandoned because of their condition. Unfortunately, only 23% of Zambians are reaching out to Volunteer Counseling and Testing (VCT) centers, which means that far more might be infected. In 2007, the number of AIDS deaths was counted at 96,000.

AIDS affects every aspect of the nation. With poverty being so profound around the country, the number of people dying of the disease is high, leaving the country with few workers and entrepreneurs. The AIDS epidemic is even more appalling when juxtaposed against the life expectancy of 39 years, which is rather low in light of the life expectancy of about 74 years in the United States and other affluent countries. The gap for AIDS treatment centers, especially in rural areas where there is a high of patients afflicted with AIDS, and access to medicine also contributes to the spread of AIDS.

The government has been fighting the spread of AIDS with educational outreach in order to do away with misconceptions about how AIDS is spread and misplacement of shame. Christian organizations, by collaborating with the government and promoting condom use, have also helped to change Zambians' misgivings about openly discussing it and seeking treatment. However, there have been problems with AIDS funding. Internal government corruption created a ripe environment for embezzling funds allocated to AIDS treatment from aid donors, causing them all (Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands) to suspend funding until internal oversight improves. When this will be is up to the  Zambian government, but is a moratorium in funding the right approach? AIDS funding should be issued through INGO intermediaries (i.e. International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders) because AIDS patients should not suffer unnecessarily due to corruption in their government. Treatment should continue, which is only possible with adequate funding. Clearly, and for obvious reason, the national poverty should be confronted with economic development, not by plunging needed medical funding. 

I must say, when I began to read about the gravity of the AIDS epidemic, the data was disconcerting. Thinking about peoples' suffering from having the disease and their struggle to get proper treatment, not to mention the feeling of isolation they experience from being ostracized, was even more depressing in light of the news about government corruption.

I recommend visiting these notable websites for further information about the AIDS epidemic:
http://www.avert.org/aids-zambia.htm
http://www.lusakatimes.com/2011/01/05/23-zambians-access-vct-services/
http://www.usaid.gov/zm/hiv/hiv.htm

Fundraising note - thank you, Gary Patry, for your recent contribution of $50.00. I have also just sent the money I raised over Christmas to Canada today. The total money raised is now at $230! Only $1,763 to go before February 17th, 2011.CUSO-VSO fixed whatever the problem was with processing the credit card option. You can now do that just to make it easy for you to contribute.

Thank you to all of you, too, for reading my blogs during this crunch time. Remember, only $10 per person goes a long, long, way.

FOOD SECURITY NEEDS OF ZAMBIA

The last time I blogged was before Christmas Day. The past two weeks have been very busy. After having been engrossed in my article on immigration, which I finally completed and sent off to the editors at the UCLA Critical Planning journal on Monday (Dec. 27), I am now able to concentrate on doing more outreach and on following up with potential contributors. I am happy to report that we have made progress in the funds department. I went out on a rather cold Saturday last month. Unfortunately, most people were not home and, therefore, I was not able to reach as many people as I would have liked. Nevertheless, my neighbors in Sunderland helped me out with contributions totaling $45 to send me closer to my departure date. Another positive outcome of that effort was the volume of CUSO-VSO informational sheets and contribution forms I distributed to those, who did not contribute on that day.

My siblings also very generously helped me out. Instead of buying me presents, I asked them to put the money that would have been spent on a gift towards my sponsorship. I raised another $130 over the holidays to bring my total funds raised to $185. For those of you, who intend to give, please do so in the next month. I would like to raise $2000 by February 17th, 2011. In the meantime, I am still investigating the trappings of an inoperable credit card mechanism on my fundraising page with CUSO-VSO. If you can not contribute via credit card, do so using PayPal if you have an account with them, or send me the check made out to CUSO-VSO with my name written in the memo section. I will enter your data on my spreadsheet and then send all the contributions as snail mail packets to the CUSO-VSO headquarters. My address is 184 Plumtree Road, Sunderland, MA. 01375.

My gratitude is extended to my siblings, Monique, Nicole, and Boyet, my friend Tom Dworkin, and my neighbors, Jae, Thomas, Renee, Fatima, and Russell. As the CUSO-VSO headquarters processes the contributions, those names will also show up on my fundraising page. I truly appreciate your help with this project.

All this talk about money got me thinking about food and survival. In a previous blog, I explained that I would write about different aspects about life in Zambia in order to orient readers to the magnitude of needs there. I have decided to devote this next blog to describing one livelihood obstacle in the Sinazongwe District: rain, rain, rain!

I found an interesting article about agricultural potential in rural regions in Zambia. The study examined soil fertility, in relation to climate change, as a method of understanding potential for future productions. Contrary to my assumption about all countries in Africa, being somewhat ignorant about the continent's geography, parts are quite damp, not arid. The article depicts parts of Zambia as quite soggy with heavy rainfall, averaging about 1300 to 1400 millimeters of rainfall per year, and is susceptible to flooding. The Sinazongwe District is one such place.

The southern region is apparently replete with nutritious field crops, like maize and sweet potato, and holds its own with the value-added and much-revered cotton. All provide a cash income for villagers. Some parts of the southern region are more productive for certain crops than others. The heavy rainfall, however, pose a danger to continuous farming. Floods and heavy rain tend to destroy the field crops. Villagers, who have relied on cash crops for income were forced to switch to livestock, as they provide a more stable income source than field crops. Some have also abandoned their agricultural fields as a means of coping with the temperamental weather. The researchers of the article discovered that the worst affected agricultural plots are those with poor drainage, an obstacle that represents a potential project for urban planners and may help villagers cope with the excessive rainfall.