ZAMBIA’S NATIONAL HERITAGE SITES

According to the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC), Zambia is divided into four regions where heritage sites are located. In this episode, we look at what is known as the Central Region which comprises Central, Lusaka, and Eastern Provinces.

Ndubi Mvula, in conjunction with the NHCC goes on a tour of the region starting with Lusaka.

The province is undoubtedly home to the famous Chilenje House National Monument, the house in which First Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda lived during Zambia’s Independence struggle.

In Lusaka, the tour begins from Chakeluka Archaeological site. This site basically tells the history of Lusaka when it used to be called Lusaaka, with the earliest Bantu or first farmers to have settled in what is today called Lusaka District (which is also the seat of Government) and also made settlements in the present day Chelstone area.

According to the A Guide to Zambia’s Heritage, archaeological investigations at Kapwirimbwe site in Chelstone area showed evidence of Early Iron Age (EIA) farmers, the remains of hunted game, cultivated crops, and iron objects being prominent.

It is noted that this was replaced or subsumed by the Late Iron Age (LIA) group in the 11th Century as evidenced in the transition that comes from Twickenham (now called Chakeluka) site.

This group is said to have gradually been replaced by settled iron-using farming communities starting around the 6th Century AD.

Further, excavations are reported to have been done by a professional archaeologist called David Phillipson from 1965 to 1968. Prof. Phillipson unearthed some interesting evidence of early settlement in the area.

It is noted that the materials he found, which included some animal bones, iron tools and copper rings, were carbon-dated to a period between the 10th and 11th Centuries. Prof. Phillipson also found two human skeletal remains.

Briefly, the community around this area reared cattle, had highly developed ceramic tradition, was very good at iron working, made their own salt and adorned themselves with copper artefacts. During the construction of the National Assembly buildings on the summit of Olympia Park Hill, several graves believed to be for these people were uncovered in the foundation trenches in 1964-65 were found.

At the time of the Soli people, the area may have been a grave site or “manda” a Soli word meaning cemetery.

The archaeological site situated along Chakeluka Road, still bears the same local name. Chakeluka site therefore appears to have been occupied at intervals through much of the Zambian Iron Age and provides a framework for more detailed studies of the later archaeology of the Lusaka region.

The Guide further states that the Manda Hill area and its environs thus represent what used to be part of the Soli chiefdom. However, it is believed that the original Lusaaka’s Village was located where the railway siding was established before the influx of white settlers forced the local people to relocate to the area around modern day Olympia Park (and its environs).

From a small rail siding under a headman, Lusaaka was later to develop into what became known as Lusaka City today.

The city was named after the railway’s resident engineer Mr. S. Townsend. As the town expanded, the Soli people are believed to have been displaced and many moved to the surrounding areas such as Chongwe.

What has remained of the old village settlement today is Chakeluka Archaeological site, declared as a protected National Monument under the Statutory Instrument Number 37 of 2972.

Ever head of the Leopards Hill Cave National monument? Well the site is there and covers an area of an approximate 1 acre and situated on the Leopard’s Hill Ranch in the Lusaka District. The site is about 1 kilometre South West of Katoba Middle Primary School in Lusaka and Katoba Clinic in Chongwe.

The site can be accessed using the Leopard’s Hill Road some 60 Kilometres from Lusaka after crossing some two small streams.

The Guide states that the Leopard’s Hill Cave is a speleological (geomorphological) and archaeological site. It presents itself as one of the most unique caves in Zambia, giving the best examples of unique geological features (Karst features) common in limestone regions.

It also provides the best example of the active processes that lead to landscape/landform shaping in Zambia.

Archaeologically, it is noted that the site is well known for its Middle Stone Age, Late Stone Age and Early Stone Age artefacts as in the example of Museum Object Number 1686. However, the site has lost much of its archaeological significance due to removal and vandalism of archaeological materials.

Notwithstanding this, the fact that records on site material are there is still enough to justify the archaeological significance. The site was being excavated and the material dated using Carbon 14 dating method.

Many would bear witness of having heard of the Marapodi named after one of the townships in Lusaka. Well this name comes from the Marrapodi Kiln which represents the archaeo-industrial heritage.

The kiln was used for manufacturing lime for industrial use and this seems to have been the first industry established in Lusaka. The first was sited on the eastern post of the railway siding. Lime was Lusaka’s first industrial activity and was initiated by Mr. Giovanni Marrapodi, an Italian contractor from Kalomo.

By 1915, lime business had reached its peak and Mr. Marrapodi even exported lime to Congo and Southern Rhodesia. It was moved to this site after the floods of 1918 to 1919. Few years later, firewood in Lusaka became scarce and prices prohibitive.

As a result, work was suspended and unfortunately, in 1922, Mr. Marrapodi died.

Though his wife continued with the business, it was just a matter of time before the Marrapodi Kiln ceased operations.

Mr. Marrapodi played a key role in the construction business of the emerging city. In the next phase, the article will focus on other tourism attractions that are found in Lusaka before moving to another region.