World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
Owing to the liberalisation of the economy, there is now plenty of food in the shops. Local specialities include bream from the Kafue, Luapula and Zambezi rivers, and Nile perch, lake salmon and other freshwater fish.
Mosi, Rhino lager and imported beers and assorted soft drinks are available. Spirits are also available.

Nightlife
Lusaka has dancing and floorshows in the main hotels, cinemas and theatres. The Copperbelt and Livingstone areas offer a variety of entertainments including casinos and nightclubs. Very popular among travellers are boat trips on the river with a few drinks (also called ‘booze’ cruises).

Shopping
Lusaka has modern shops, supermarkets and open-air markets. Special purchases include African carvings, pottery and copperware, beadwork and local gemstones. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1300.

Special Events
There are many traditional ceremonies and festivals that take place throughout Zambia. The following is a selection of special events occurring in Zambia in 2005:
Jan Kwanga (traditional festival), Lake Bangweulu. Feb Livingstone City's 100th Birthday Celebrations; N’cwala (the chief of the Ngoni people tastes the first fresh fruit of the year). Mar Ku-omboka (the Lozi chief or Litunga, together with his entire household, is paddled up a natural canal flood plain, from Leaului to Limulunga, his residence in the rainy season); Zambia National Fishing Competition, Lake Tanganyika. May Annual African Queen Celebrations, Livingstone; Livingstone Arts and Drama Festival. Aug Livingstone Carnival. Sep World Tourism Week. Sep/Oct Shimunenga (a traditional ceremony of the Ba-Ila people), Maala on the Kafue Flats. Oct Women in Music (music festival), Lusaka. Nov 150 Year Anniversary Victoria Falls.

Social Conventions
African culture and traditions remain prominent and there are various customs, folklore and traditional crafts in the different regions. Traditional dancing is popular and there are many colourful annual ceremonies that take place throughout the country. Visitors to the outlying areas should expect to be met with curiosity. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Gifts are often offered to visitors as a sign of gratitude, friendship or honour. One should never refuse a gift but accept it with both hands. Photography: Visitors are able to take photographs in most places but are advised to avoid military installations. Tipping: A 10 per cent sales tax is added to all bills. Tipping in hotels has been abolished by law but a 10 per cent tip may be expected or included in bills elsewhere.