Possible links between United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Number Two (UN-SDG2) and the Religio-Cultural aspects of the Chibwelamushi Harvest Ceremony of the Lala and Swaka people of Zambia’s Central Province

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VIII, Issue II, February 2021 | ISSN 2321–2705

Possible links between United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Number Two (UN-SDG2) and the Religio-Cultural aspects of the Chibwelamushi Harvest Ceremony of the Lala and Swaka people of Zambia’s Central Province

Dorothy Ngabwa, Charles Mwendabai Namafe and Judith Lubasi Ibubala-Ziwa
Mpima Prison Primary School, Zambia

Abstract:- The study explored possible links between United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Number two (UN-SDG2) and the religio-cultural aspects of the Chibwelamushi Harvest Ceremony (CHC). The study employed qualitative approaches involving a realist ethnography design under the social constructivism paradigm in order to effectively address the issues raised by the research question. The method of data collection included, observation, interviews and document analysis, using observation checklist, the semi structured interview guides activity and document analysis checklist. The sample of 12 interviewees included one national chairperson and secretary of CHC, 2 representatives from Insaka ye-Lala, 2 traditional affairs officers, 2 extension officers, 2 ordinary members and one senior chief from each tribe. The study revealed how rituals, songs composed during CHC, showcasing best samples of crops from each chiefdom, building of traditional granaries, inviting seed companies, teaching of economic skills and crafts and the concept of kumulima chipuba might help implement UN-SDG2.The results of the study revealed how rituals, songs composed during CHC, the samples of crops showcased from each chiefdom, inviting seed companies, building of granaries, teaching of economic and life skills and the concept of chiefdom inspection (kumulima chipuba) might help to implement UN-SDG2. Arising from the findings, the researcher proposes among others: the celebration of CHC to be held in zones of all chiefdoms in order to accord most of the CHC attendants a chance to have first hand information concerning religio-cultural teachings and agriculture, and the custodians of traditional heritage to work hand in hand with extension officers and seed companies to sensitize and teach the Lala and Swaka people how they could have a better yield as well as the importance of preserving what was produced. Based on the findings, the following recommendation among others was proposed for considerations: The custodians of traditional heritage and leading farmers to incorporate the extension officers and seed companies to conduct awareness campaigns on issues of religio-cultural teachings that focus on food security and agriculture, and sustainable development.

Keywords: Religio-cultural; Chibwelamushi; Lala; Swaka; Sustainable Development

1.0 Background and context

International aspirations such as those expressed through the UN-SDGs on one hand, and local aspirations like those expressed through traditional ceremonies, on the other, have historically remained worlds apart. With such a situation, it is argued in this article that it is not conducive to attain ideals of sustainable development. A corrective intervention is required and, hence, the thrust of this article. In this regard, this article investigated the implementation of the UN-SDG2 through the Religio-Cultural aspects of the Chibwelamushi Harvest Ceremony (CHC) of the Lala and Swaka people of Zambia’s Central Province. The CHC is a religio-cultural event that is performed to thank the ancestral spirits for the previous

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