Hi, all! We promised some alternative programming, so here’s a go at it. These Zags have experienced a variety of sensory experiences during their time here. Sometimes we have unexpected visitors:
But the most consistent is the music from our varied church services. Many of you following along know that I asked our dear friends, Fathers Max and Roy, to teach us a song before we left Spokane. I wanted our group to begin our cultural learning with something that would allow an intermediate connection to community members. Though I have no technical knowledge of music (and these Zags can attest that keeping time is not among my strengths), I am always profoundly moved by the music we experience here and the musicality of every part of life for many Zambians. I though you might be interested to hear some of the soundtrack of our journey. Apologies for the unedited tracks, and here’s hoping the links behave.
From the outset, Zambian hospitality is marked by music. Just over two weeks ago, students from Chilenga school, under the direction of Jescar Mukumbi, welcomed each bush flight that landed on the Zambezi airstrip: Airstrip welcome.MOV
The first week our teaching candidates were at Chilenga school, the Head Teachers called an all-school assembly, which included a rendition of the Zambian national anthem, “Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free”:
At the same assembly, the school’s pupils also expressed their care for our Zags with a song that translates to a prayer for God’s protection:
For a bonus, here are back-to-back songs sung by St. Cecelia, one of the several choirs of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, during the offering at our first Mass here in Zambezi: Offering songs (1).m4a
In our recent trip to Dipalata, we were welcomed in a way that has become a kind of heartsong for us, one that most Zambians use to greet visitors, and which you may hear your Zags unconsciously humming to themselves when they are puttering around the house after returning home: Welcome welcome dip choir.m4a
Finally, back to that song we stumbled through in March and April: Namumoni mwantaa yesu unakwinza eee, mu muchima wami (I have seen the Lord coming, in my heart). This is a Lunda song, near ubiquitous in churches here in our part of North-western Zambia, and it was a delight watching our Zags stumble through the timing and lyrics. Each time we’ve sung it, a Zambian or a full Zambian choir has helped us refine our rendition. Yesterday, during our service in Dipalata, the choir director Pepitex, led us in what felt like our broadway debut: Namumoni in Dipalata.MOV
We hope you enjoy these small slices of the music that has brought vibrancy and joy to our time here in Zambezi!
Jeff Dodd