Mission Zambia Cultural Guidelines
Perhaps the most obvious, yet important things to realize as a team or an individual in Zambia is that you are a guest in a foreign country. You are the one who do things quite different. Some things that are thought innocent or normal at home are quite offensive in Zambia and may hinder people from hearing the message of salvation. We want to be very careful of the impression we create as representative of Christ.
An excellent rule of thumb to keep in mind is the question of trust “Is what I ‘m thinking, saying, or doing in this situation building or undermining trust?’ Use this question, along with the cultural guidelines we have developed, and you will just fine culturally.
That said, the following suggestions are offered to help you understand the people of Zambia and help you have a positive experience while on outreach.
1 Relationship is the most important thing in Zambia. Use your time to get to know the people here as much as possible. Step out of your comfort zone and try to learn some of the language and communicate. Zambians love to talk about family, the weather, soccer, current affairs and their culture. It is very difficult for North Americans to think of hanging out as ministry, but relationship evangelism is much more important than any program or work project we could do. Love the people you came to serve; don’t just focus on accomplishing a project.
2 Refrain from making too many comparisons between Zambia and home. Comparisons that make Zambia seem inferior will eventually lead to resentment. Avoid comments like, “That’s not how to do that” or These are much cheaper where we’re from” or We could this a lot faster at home.Recognise cultural difference and accept them without passing judgement.
3Be flexible concerning time, and go with the flow of the culture and the ministry you‘re involved into. Don’t count on sticking to a rigid schedule of events or starting everyday program exactly on time. Welcome Flexi! Learn to be patient.
4 Shake hands (gently) and greet everyone! In Zambia, you can offend a person by not doing a simple thing such as saying hello and shaking hands when you enter or leave a room.
5When offered something to eat, receive it and b grateful. Zambians may go a lot of trouble to buy soft drinks, or prepare an entire meal for us, and it is very offensive if we do not enjoy it. Never give food to animals, throw it way, or give it to other people. Food and drinks are how this culture bonds, and to refuse it amounts to refusing friendship-the very thing you came to build.
During outreach in the villages, only one camera per ministry team will be allowed. Its best for the photographer to be someone with a digital camera who can quickly distribute or upload the photos. The photographer must always ask a person first if it is Okay to take his/her picture.
By taking photos, you commit to send us a physical (not digital) print of every photo you take with a Zambian in it for us to give to the people you ministered to. Culturally it is improper to take someone’s photo here with giving them a copy, and this affords us a good follow-up opportunity.
We ask you to ADJUST to the following:
Language barrier
Lack of mobility/readily available
Indirectness
Formality and Rank (Respect for elders)
Protocol (Learning culturally appropriate channels of communication before action)
Slow pace of life
Lack of conveniences
Social customs
Frequent and/or unexpected changes in schedules.
Greetings
| (Formal)- Dialogue | |
| Mutozi chwani/ Kibusiwu | Good morning/ day/ evening |
| Mutozi chwani /Kibusiwu ima | Good morning/ day/ evening madam |
| Mutozi/utozi chwani? | How are you? |
| Ni tozi hande.Wena utozi chwani?Lit. means how have you risen?) | I am fine and how are you? |
| Ni inzi fela hande | I am well |
| Greeting a group | |
| Mulumele Basali ni Bana | Good day ladies and gentlemen |
| Mulumele ime | Good day madam |
| Enisha Mulumela | How are you (pl)? |
| Lu wiinzi hande.Ulumele/Mulumele? | We are well and how are you? |
| Ni nzi Hande | I am well |
| Luitumezi | Thank you |
| (Informal)- Dialogue | |
| Mulumela Ndate | Good day sir |
| Mulumela Ima | Good day madam |
| Mutozi/utozi chwani? | How are you? (Formal/informal) |
| Ni tozi hande chwale wena utozi chwani? | I am fine and how are you? |
| Ni inzi fela Hande | I am fine |
| “Mulumela” is not specific to any time of the day. Men are expected to take off their hats/ caps when greeting elders. | |
: Introducing Self/ Someone
Libizo laka kina Ashley |
My name is Ashley |
| Libizo laka lamafelelezo kina Jones | My Last name is Jones |
| Kiwe na mang? | What is your name? |
| Ni zwa kwa Amerika | I am from America |
| Uzwa kakayi? | Where are you from? |
| Libizo la yo ki Martin | His name is Martin |
| Libizo lahae lamafelelezo ki Daniel | His last name is Daniel |
| Uzwa kwa Amerika? | Are you from America? |
| Ni tusa bathu | I am a volunteer |
Leave- Taking Expression
| Na nami siya | Good-bye |
| Nimi siyile | See you |
| Mutola hande | Have a good day |
| Mulobale/Ulobale hande | Good night |
| Kakubona kamuso | See you tomorrow |
| Kakubona ape | See you later |
Lesson 5: Vocabulary 1 (Verbs)
| Go- ( | To- |
| Kona | Able, |
| kuhupulitsa | remind |
| Nisabile | Afraid of, |
| Alaba | Answer |
| Utile | Arrive |
| Kupa | Ask |
| Na Kupa | Ask for (polite way) |
| Uza maile | Away, go ; travel |
| Ubile | Be, become |
| Kala ku | Begin |
| Nalumela | Believe, agree |
| Bilisa | Boil |
| Nakupa nika kufa | Borrow |
| Tisa Kwanu | Bring |
| Chisa Burn | |
| Pumbeka | Bury |
| Leka | Buy |
| Biza Mutu usili | Call another person |
| Nanula | Carry |
| Pahama | Climb |
| Kwala | Close |
| Taha | Come |
| Kena | Come in |
| Zwa | Come out (emerge) |
| Apeha | Cook |
| Lila | Cry |
| Bina | Dance |
| Kuliyeya | Delay |
| Sinya | Destroy |
| Yeza | Do |
| Nwa | Drink |
| phakela | Early, |
| Cha | Eat |
| Kena | Enter |
| Inga | Take it |
| Utwa | Feel; Hear; Taste |
| Felize | Finish |
| Fumana | Find |
| Fix, prepare | |
| Swalela | Forgive |
| Bona | To see |
| Zuha | Get up/ wake up |
| Fa | Give |
| Ya | Go |
| Kutwa hande | Happy, be |
| Thusa | Help |
| Swala | Hold |
| Kwiyi yeza | Injure |
| Beya | Keep |
| Ema | Stand |
| Kuziba | Know |
| Seya | Laugh |
| Thuta | Learn ; study |
| Kuhutwa | Listen |
| Lata | Like/ love |
| Wapila | Live |
| Ubata | Need |
| Kwalula | Open |
| Fita | Pass |
| Lifa | Pay |
| Nanula | Pick up |
| Beya | Place |
| Hana | Refuse |
| Kutisa | Return |
| Bulela | Say |
| Lekisa | Sell |
| Kula | Sick, |
| Ina fafasi | Sit down |
| Lobala | Sleep |
| Hoha | Smoke |
| Bulela | Speak |
| Lobala | Spend the night |
| Siyala | Stay behind |
| Inga | Take |
| Luta | Teach |
| Bulela | Tell |
| Mabote | Tired, become |
| Lika | Try |
| Kuwutwa | Understand |
| Belekisa | Use |
| Mata | Ran |
| Bataa | Want |
| Litino | Wash (clothes) |
| Tapa | bathe |
| Bonisisa | Watch |
| Beleka | Work |
| gola | Write |
Lesson 6: Some Useful Expressions
| Ni utwa mabote | I am tired |
| Ni utwa buloko | I am sleepy |
| Ni twa tala | I am hungry |
| Ani si ka utwa tala | I am not hungry |
| Uya kae? | Where are you going? |
| Niya Kwandu | I am going home |
| Utaya Lilii | When are you coming? |
| Uyina kae? | Where is your home? |
| Andrew unzii kae? | Where is Andrew? |
| Edward uyile kwa Post office | Edward is going to the post office |
| Aniyi kwa shopo | I don’t go to the shop |
| Nayituta Silozi | I am learning Silozi ; I study |
| Ani nwi kofi | I don’t take coffee |
| Nibata kupumula | I need some rest |
| Na cha,Niseli ku cha | I eat ; I am eating |
| Achi | He doesn’t eat |
| Ai Tuti | She doesn’t study |
| Nitapa kakusasana | I bathe in the morning |
| Napakela kuzuha | I wake up very early |
| Kuseli kwaba busiwu | It’s becoming late (night fall) |
| Ki Nako | It’s time up |
| Ki bata mezi | I am thirsty |
| Ani yitwi | I don’t understand |
| Bulela Ayiyani | Speak slowly |
| Hape | Again |
| Uni swalela | Excuse me |
| Bulela Kamapile | Speak quickly |
| Una ni butata? | Do you have a problem (s)? |
| Eni ni na ni butata | Yes, I have a problem |
| Ani na butata | No, I don’t have a problem |
| Au na puzo | Do you have any questions? |
| Utwa wena | Listen |
| Buza | Ask |
| Lumelisa | Greet |
| Please | |
| Niyitumezi | Thank you |
Lesson 7: Vocabulary 2 (Nouns)
| Kitchen | |
| tafule | Table |
| sipula | Chair |
| Mukeke | Plate |
| komoki | Cup |
| Luswana | Spoon |
| Tipa | Knife |
| Lufiyelo | Broom |
| Bedroom | |
| Mumbeta | Bed |
| Kubo | Blanket |
| Li yapalo | Clothes |
| Bulukwe | Pants |
| Likatulo | Shoes |
| General items | |
| Potoloto | Pencil |
| Buka | Book |
| Bêkê | Bag |
| pênê | Pen |
| Maali | Money |
| Muyako | Door |
Lesson 8: Pronouns
| nna | I |
| Wena | You |
| Ene | She/ he |
| Luna | We/ us |
| Kina | It’s me |
| Bone | Them |
Lesson 9: Connecting words
| Ni | and |
| Kono | But |
| Nebi | Or |
| ke | Is |
| Inge | As/like |
| Ekaba | therefore |
| Ka kuli | because |
Lesson 12: Questions and Commands
Ki eng? |
What is it? |
| Utille Lilii? | When did you come? |
| Uzwa kae? | Where are you from? |
| Mutozi/Utozi chwani? | How are you? |
| O mang? | Who are you? |
| Ki efi? | Which one? |
| Ki afi? | Which ones? |
| Kingi? | Why? |
Commanding expressions |
|
| Kwalula muyakoTaha kwanu
What your name |
Open the doorCome here
Kiwe na mang |
| Kwala muyako | Close the door |
| Ema ni kubulela | Stand and talk |
| êma | Stand |
| Kena mwahali | Get inside |
| Taha kwano | Come here |
| Utwisisa | Keep quiet/Listen |
| Kuta | Go back |
| Taha kwa pili | Come to the front |
| Ina fafasi | Sit down |
Lesson 13: Expressing Needs
| Ubata eng? | What do you want? |
| Nibata Candle | I want a candle |
| Utokwa eng | What do you need? |
| Ni tokwa mali | I need money |
| Ubata kuya Kakayi? | Where do you want to go? |
| Nibata kuya kwa Kwandu | I want to go home |
| Ubata kuyeza eng? | What do you want to do now? |
| Ani zibi | I do not know |
| Ui kutwa chwang? | How do you feel? |
| Toho yaka esa opa | My head still aches |
| Ubatela eng mali amagata? | Why does she need a lot of money? |
| Ubata kuleka licho ni liyapalo | She needs to buy food and clothes |
| Ulata kofi? | Do you like coffee? |
| Ani rati kofi | No. I don’t like coffee |
| Kamoso; kamoso o ya kae? | Where are you going tomorrow? |
| Ni Ka phakela kuya kwa Shops | I want to go to the shops in the morning |
Lesson 14: Food Items
| Licho | Food |
| Mabele | Sorghum |
| Bupi | Mealie-meal |
| sukiri | Sugar |
| Sauti | Salt |
| metsi | Water |
| Mabisi | Milk |
| Tamatisi | Tomatoes |
| Makwili | Potatoes |
| mae | Eggs |
| Sinkwa | Bread |
| kofi | Coffee |
| tee | Tea |
| Litapi | Fish |
| Yayisi | Onions |
| namunê | Orange |
| apole | Apple |
| Ndongo | Peanuts |
| Manawa | Beans |
Nama Meat
Family
| Bokuku ba bana | Grand father |
| Bokuku ba basali | Grand mother |
| Bo ndate | Father |
| Bo mme | Mother |
| Likezeli (said only to pers. of opposite gender) | Sister ; Brother |
| Mulwani (to either elder sister/ brother) | Older sibling |
| Muyani (to either younger sister/ brother) | Younger sibling |
| Malumaho | Uncle (paternal) |
| Malume | Uncle (maternal) |
| Ante wakuba Ndate | Aunt (paternal) |
| Ante waku bo mme | Aunt (maternal) |
| Mwana wa bo Malume nebi bo Ante | cousin |
| Bashemi | Parents |
| Ba nana | Child/Children |
| Lusika | Family |
Lesson 16: Adverbs of Time
| Kachenu | Today |
| maabane | Yesterday |
| kamuso | Tomorrow |
| maloba a maabane | The day before yesterday |
| maloba | Few days ago |
| Sunda ye | This week |
| Sunda yeyi felile (lit. the week that passed) | Last week |
| Sunda yetaha (lit. the week that is still to come) | Next week |
| Silimo se | This year |
| Silimo sesi felile | Last year |
| Silimo sesi taha | Next year |
| kweli ye | This month |
| Nako ye | At the moment |
| Kanako yetaha | Later on; earlier on (depending on context) |
| Busihu | At night |
| phakêla | In the morning |
| Musiyali | At noon (till sunset) |
| Manzi bwana | Around sunset |
Lesson 17: Days Activities
| Nizuile ka 6 phakela | I wake up at 6am |
| Neni ta pile | I bathed |
| Ape nani chile | And then I eat. |
| Seniya kwa sikolo | Then I go to school |
Nanzi kwa sikolo nako kaufela |
I spent the day at school |
| Luyeza zezigata kachenu | we were doing a lot of things today |
| Ne kutile ba polisa kulu potela | there were visitors from the Police |
| Nenuwutwile hande kachenu | I was excited today |
| Ani kakuta kwa sikolo | When I come back from school |
Lesson 18: Vocabulary 3 (Names of Places)
| Places | English |
Ndu |
House |
| Mwasikolo | Classroom |
| Simbuzi | Toilet |
| Kwa ba pehela | kitchen |
| sikolo | School |
| Sipatela | Hospital |
| Sipatela | Clinic |
| shopo | Shop |
| Kwa mwag’olo | Post office |
| nuka | River |
| siimu | Field |
| Kêrêkê | Church |
| Banka | Bank |
| Kuta | Customary court |
Lesson 20: Asking for Prices
| Ki bo kae? | How much is a bag of oranges? |
| ki bokae? | How much is it? |
| ki K4000 | It’s K4000 |
| Orange ye ki bokae? | How much is each orange? |
| Elilimu ki K1000 | They are K1000 each |
| Kaufela ona ki bokae? | What’s the total price? |
| Mali kaufela ki K8000 | The total price is K8000 |
Lesson 21: Weather
| Kachenu ku batile | Today it is cold |
| Kachenu ku chisize | Today it is hot |
| Kufutumalile | It is warm |
| Kuna Lizazi | It is sunny |
| Kuna ni Moya | It is windy |
| Kachenu kwiinzi hande | Today it is better |
| Akuchisa | Summer |
| Akubata | Winter |
Lesson 22: Health Expressions
| Anihi kutwi hande | I am not well |
| Nini toha | I have a head ache |
| Mwamba muna nibutuku | My tummy hurts |
| Meto ani ni butuku | His eyes are sore |
| Franco o ya kwa sipatela | Franco is going to the clinic |
| Nayile kubona Dokota | She/ he went to see the doctor |
| Mauwutu aluluyile | Her leg is swollen |
| Uchile zezimaswe | Seems he ate something bad |
| Ba bata kuya kwa sipatela | They want to go to the clinic |
Lesson 23: Safety Expressions
| Nitu se | Help me |
| Nibata unitu se | I need help |
| Nebaninetile,Bani nata | I have been attacked, I am being attacked. |
| Ba uzwize mwandu yaka | My house has been broken into. |
| Ba uzwiza mwandu | There has been theft in my house. |
| Bani amuyi likaTaha Kwanu | I have been robbedCome here |
April 22, 2010
learnlozi