Nyanja Word of the Week 3: Pamodzi

Happy Independence Day!

Zambia is now 47 years old.

Kaunda in 1967.

Today in 1964, Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of Zambia, was shaking hands, signing papers, getting his picture taken, and moving into state house. At least, that's what I'm assuming a new president of a new country would do when the transfer of power has been peaceful.

Zambians have a lot to be proud of today. In 47 years, right there in the middle of Africa, they have never been involved in a notable war or conflict of any kind. And look at some of Zambia's neighbors!

Tanzania - war with Uganda: 1978-1979

Angola - Civil War: 1975 - 2002

Mozambique - Civil War: 1977 - 1992

Zimbabwe - history of instability and human rights violations

D.R. Congo - on and off wars and conflicts since its inception

That said, we must acknowledge the successes of Zambia's other 3 neighboring countries, Malawi, Botswana, and Namibia, who have also had peaceful histories.

But today is Zambia's day. And I want to ask this:

Question: Why has Zambia been so peaceful over the past 47 years?

The answer an average Zambian might tell you is that Zambians are simply peaceful people. Scholars may tell you about Kaunda's policies that led to national unity. But I have not heard anyone talk about the answer I'm about to give you...

Answer: Zambia has been successfully peaceful since its foundation because its first president was a (A) peace-loving, (B) guitar-playing, (C) vegetarian, (D) groovy-guy.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

International Vegetarian Union - Famous Vegetarians - Dr. Kenneth Kaunda

Exhibit D, just see his outfit and the look on his face:

The evidence speaks for itself!

The Nyanja Word of the Week this week is "Pamodzi." Pamodzi means "together," or literally "as one."

This week I want to highlight a song of national unity for Zambia, not the national anthem, but a song sung during and after the freedom fight and recorded by Kenneth Kaunda, "Tiyende Pamodzi," or "Let's Go Together." This was not only popular in Zambia, but in Malawi, where the national language is very similar to Nyanja, and other countries as well. It is cited in literature among important political songs.

Listen to Kaunda singing in the YouTube clip below, then practice singing along. Here's the first line, which repeats throughout the song:

"Tiyende pamodzi ndi mtima umo[dzi]," which means "Let's go together in harmony," or literally, "Let's go as one, with one heart."

This is what Zambians were singing in 1964:

Here are some other highlights from Dr. Kaunda's career:

- Primary School Teacher
- Scout Leader

- Popularized the "Kaunda suit"
- Honorary Doctorates in Law from at least 7 Universities

Vocabulary for the week:

"modzi" - "one"

"pamodzi" - "as one" or "together"

"mtima" - "heart"

"mtima umodzi" - one heart

"Taj Pamodzi" - a 5-star hotel in Lusaka

"chimodzimodzi" - "the same as" ("same same" - just threw that in for fun)


Thanks for reading Nyanja Word of the Week! We'll see you next week with a new word!

Musale bwino,

Holly

p.s. This is what Americans, Brits, and whoever else were singing in 1964: