The Song of the Tonga: A Story of Displacement and Resilience

In January 2024, a DEPA workshop was held in Maamba, a small town in Zambia. The workshop brought together local artists, including weavers, wood carvers, museum workers, and school teachers. All participants belonged to the (Ba)Tonga, an ethnic group native to the region. Over four days, they engaged in various activities, culminating in a spontaneous dance performance on the first evening.

The song of the ancestors

The highlight of the gathering was a song and dance, a poignant tribute to the Tonga’s ancestors. The lyrics vividly depicted life in the fertile Zambezi valley before the 1950s. This was when the Tonga enjoyed economic, political, and social autonomy, their lives untouched by external influences. Their identity was deeply rooted in their culture, financial practices, and political systems.

Life by the Zambezi River

The Tonga’s life along the Zambezi River was one of splendid isolation. They thrived in the ecologically rich plains, practicing flood retreat farming. Their connection to the river was more than just geographical; it was spiritual. They revered the River God, Nyami Nyami, who served as a bridge between the living and the dead. The river was also home to their ancestors’ sacred graves, where lineage spirits were worshipped.

The impact of the Kariba Dam construction

The construction of the Kariba Dam in the 1950s marked a turning point for the Tonga. They were forcibly displaced to make way for the dam, leading to a division of the ethnic group across the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. This displacement disconnected them from their River God and their ancestors’ sacred graves, disrupting their traditions and livelihoods.

The dam’s construction also forced them to relocate to plateau areas with infertile soils prone to drought. Despite the dam providing electricity to both Zambia and Zimbabwe, many Tonga people still lack access to electricity.

The song as therapy

For the Tonga, singing about the great river is a therapeutic experience. It allows them to reconnect with their past and understand their life story. Despite the hardships they have faced, their song stands as a testament to their resilience and their enduring connection to the Zambezi Valley.

Conclusion

The Song of the Tonga is more than just a melody; it’s a narrative of displacement, resilience, and the enduring power of cultural identity. It serves as a reminder of the socio-economic and political effects of historical development on marginalised communities. Yet, in the face of adversity, the Tonga continue to honour their past, singing the song of their ancestors and the Great River that once was their home.