The Livingstone Museum

Writer: Faith Shonga Photography: Livingstone Museum

The Livingstone Museum is the oldest and largest museum in Zambia, containing memorabilia relating to the country’s historical events and with artefacts documented graphically and in writing. It is easy to reach as it is located in the heart of the city of Livingstone, along the Mosi-oa-Tunya Road.

The museum houses different galleries covering archaeology, ethnography, ichthyology, natural history and entomology among other subjects, with artefacts and expositions delivering an insight into the national history and ethnic heritage of Zambia. The Livingstone Museum has maintained its colonial outlook and displays a vintage aircraft visible from the main highway, and the building exudes an attractive charm, enticing one to visit.

Upon entering, one is greeted by friendly staff. To help find your way around the area, you can consult a large in-built trail map of the city, which includes the Victoria Falls, and there is also an old map of Zambia drawn on the wall, so you can pinpoint your location. There is helpful information displayed beside each exhibit to explain what it is and its significance. As I walked through, I learnt how humans have developed through time, and the different tools that were used by early man for various purposes. It is interesting to note that some of the ancient tools exhibited in the human development exhibition hall were actually taken from a place called Dambwa in the city of Livingstone.

I was very glad to see the life-size re-creation of a typical village set-up, complete with relics that characterise village life. It was also interesting to view the depiction of animals, insects, reptiles, fish and birdlife that appeared so true to life. I was mesmerised by the depiction of the town, with the lovely Mirage House, E. Susman General Dealers Store, a taxi with a driver and a passenger, the policeman, school children and the general community, all going about their business.

I found the cultural and witchcraft section particularly fascinating, displaying articles which left a lasting impression. For example, I saw fabric made from bark cloth, traditional beads and ornaments worn by women for different reasons, roots used to increase sexual power in men and herbs used for healing and cleansing purposes. Here, too, were charms and wizardry items used to bring misfortune and even to kill, as well as tools to communicate with other wizards and witches, and others to protect oneself from harm. This section was spinetingling, not only for me but also for other people who were visiting at the same time.

It was truly fascinating to visit the Livingstone gallery and view original letters written by Dr. David Livingstone. I was intrigued to learn about his family tree and see original items that belonged to him, such as his coat, mirror and other personal possessions. It was wonderful to learn of the work that Dr Livingstone did and the loyal companions he had, such as Sussi and Chuma. I was also ecstatic when I saw a map of Zambia showing famous faces associated with the country, including freedom fighters, and to read about non-Zambians who have also visited, including Great Britain’s Queen Elizabeth 11 and former political leaders in the colonial era. It was absorbing to read articles and information about the slave trade era, pre- and postindependence articles and a description of today’s political scene.

Towards the end of the tour, I saw the motorbike that belonged to the first Zambian president, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda; I enjoyed reading about him and others who had fought for Zambia’s independence. To wrap it all up, I was glad to see how this rich blend of culture, history and modern day all come alive in this vintage-themed historical house.

You can visit the museum every day (except Christmas and New Year holidays). The opening times are 9.00am to 4.30pm. Charges for Zambian residents are K10 for adults and K5 for children, while international guests are charged US$5 for adults and US$3 for children.

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE HISTORICAL HUB THE LIVINGSTONE MUSEUM

Unsung Heroes

Carol Coppinger and her husband, John, have lived and worked in the north of South Luangwa National Park for 35 years. In 1995 they created Tafika, a tourist camp north of Nsefu sector, and this became their home where they raised and home-schooled their two children. Living permanently in this remote area, which is seasonally cut off from the outside world, they inevitably became involved with the local community and the Tafika Fund was born.

During the rains of 1997 Carol met the headmaster of Mkasanga School and was horrified to learn that all the allocated teachers had abandoned their posts to avoid the isolation of the rains. The headmaster was left with an entire school of 250 children to teach single-handedly!

Together they hatched a plan to employ untrained teachers from within the community—people with at least Senior School Certificate who could assist the headmaster and who had no incentive to leave the area.

Being a government school it was important to work closely with, and in accordance with, the DEBS (District Education Board Secretary). Carol was anxious not to interfere with the running of the school but rather to facilitate and assist the school and generally promote education within the local community.

Mkasanga Primary School teaches up to Grade 9. Pupils wishing to complete their Senior School Certificate are compelled to travel away from home and enrol in a school which offers classes up to Grade 12. Having put in place a team of untrained teachers and arranged regular stationery packs for the school’s pupils, Carol then turned her attention to selecting the most promising pupils and sending them to secondary school. The next step was to select the best students for further studies: skills training, teacher training colleges, universities etc. She has now worked tirelessly in the Mwanya community for over 20 years. Through her programmes, over 110 pupils have completed their Senior School Certificate and just fewer than 70 have successfully completed university degrees or skills training. Amongst these are at least one doctor and an accredited accountant. Barely a day passes when at least one of her students calls her with a problem or seeking advice.

Latterly, Carol has run a football league—Football for Wildlife— involving 16 teams (eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams) between Mwanya and Chifunda, bringing much joy to the community as well as providing a platform for raising awareness for conservation. Women’s soccer is rather a revolutionary concept in Zambia but one which has been eagerly welcomed by the village ladies from the two chiefdoms in which we operate, and they certainly display impressive skills. The preparation and management of this event requires a massive effort and far exceeds the six weeks of game time.

Apart from the significant financial input, Carol puts in countless numbers of hours and energy into these pursuits purely out of her own goodwill and continues to offer opportunities to those in need from the surrounding community.

If anybody would like to support the project or find out more information they can contact us on reservations@remoteafrica.com