Independence Day

24th of October Zambia celebrates Independence Day!

This is the 55th anniversary of Zambia becoming an independent country, so the whole nation is preparing for the celebration of the national holiday. Creative Home is also buzzing with preparations: kids are painting flags and rehearse singing of patriotic songs. There is a joyful and sublime atmosphere – although the history of this country was not easy. 

The location in the depths of the African land contributed to the fact that Europeans arrived in the terrains of current Zambia no earlier than in the nineteenth century. In 1888 Cecil Rhodes obtained mineral rights in the region for Great Britain. In 1911 those lands were merged to form Northern Rhodesia (Rhodesia named after Cecil Rhodes), as a British protectorate. Its borders were drawn on maps, regardless of the number of tribes inhabiting these areas, the multitude of languages, or existing conflicts. Initially, Rhodesia was governed by an administration appointed from London, later the British government took over the control. Only political changes in the 1950s led to the formation of local parties demanding sovereignty and, as a result, the first elections.

24th of October 1964 Northern Rhodesia became the independent Republic of Zambia.

Outer organization and artificial delimitation of borders are the reason why nowadays we can find in Zambia several dozens of ethnic groups, speaking 73 different languages. However, the country’s motto, which we can see in the national emblem is “One Zambia, One Nation” which is to emphasize the unity of all Zambians and the desire to unite rather than create further divisions.

Anyone who was in Zambia could feel this spirit of brotherhood – regardless of language or skin color if you just open your heart to Zambian people, they will immediately accept you as one of them. Let’s together celebrate Zambian Independence Day!