Arts and crafts markets

Zambia’s diverse cultures bring with them a wide variety of traditional skills. Crafts can be found in great variety if not in abundance and among them is some of the finest basketry in Africa.

The economy of most of the crafts people is based on fishing, cattle or the cultivation of crops. Craftwork is often done seasonally to supplement the incomes of many families. It was originally intended for barter and made according to the needs of other villagers. To many, especially the subsistence farmers, craftwork is their only means of earning cash.

Traditionally made pots and baskets in the more populated areas however, are being replaced by commercially manufactured utility items made of plastic or tin. A large part of the new generation are losing these traditional skills because of a lessening demand and others have begun to make more modern items like lampshades, shopping and laundry baskets and furniture.

Fortunately there are organisations such as Zintu Handicrafts in Lusaka, the Nayuma Museum in Mongu, the Tonga Museum in Choma and the Moto Moto Museum in Mbala, which aim to stimulate the production of quality craftwork both in traditional forms and where craftwork is a contemporary expression of art.

Basketry, practised by both the men and the women is widespread. The many forms and raw materials used reflect the environment in which they are made: bamboo, liana vines, roots, reeds, grasses, rushes, papyrus palm leaves, bark and sisal. They are decorated with symbolic designs using traditional dyes made from different coloured soils, roots, bark and leaves. The variety of uses for basketry is wide; carrying and storage, fishing traps, beer strainers, flour sieves, sleeping and eating mats and a variety of tableware. The Lozi and Mbunda people in the Western Province are particularly skilled in this field.

  It is the men that usually do the woodwork and carving and produce canoes, furniture, walking sticks, utensils and food bowls as well as masks, drums and a variety of animal forms. The potters are usually, though not always women who work the clay and then fire them on open fires or pits.

Zambian Curios Highlights Zambian' Skill In Arts And Crafts

Zambian curios are a display of the skill and workmanship that goes into the making of arts and crafts by Zambian craftsmen from all corners of the country. Zambian handicrafts includes pottery, metalworking, sleeping mats (reed mats), basketry, jewellery, African printed fabrics and African batiks (also known as chitenge).

Materials

Materials used in crafting Zambian Curios include hard wood, semi-precious stones, gold, ornamental malachite, copper, fibre, animal skin, paints and reed mats.

Markets

Art and craft items are sold at specialised areas like the Kabwata cultural village and at shops like the Zintu handicrafts both in Lusaka.

Located on Burma Road, Kabwata Cultural Village has on offer art crafts and curios made right at the village itself. And a lot of other street artists and artisans display their wares along major roads of the country. Road side stalls are popular and they offer the best bargains for Zambian curios. The following are but some of the places where you can get your souvenirs and mementos.

Kabwata Cultural Village (Lusaka)

If you are looking for a souvenir, one place within the limits of Lusaka city is the Kabwata Cultural village in the working class residential area of Lusaka. Established in 1974, the Kabwata cultural village is home to woodcarvers, basket weavers and artists who sell their products right at the cultural village. It is popular with foreign tourists and Zambians alike. 

The cultural village is a congregation of woodcarvers and craftsmen from all the ten provinces of Zambia who have made Kabwata Cultural Village their home.

Kabwata Cultural Village is open daily from 08:00hrs to 18:00hrs. It is found in Kabwata Estates in Lusaka along Burma Road. It is one place you will buy your souvenir from the craftsman himself, with plenty of room to negotiate!

Pakati Sunday Market (Lusaka)

Try out the Pakati Sunday market which is organised by the Arcades Shopping Centre right at the shopping centre itself. The market is a congregation of the locals within Lusaka and from neighbouring areas who gather to sell their wares which include carvings, fabrics, artworks and jewellery. The Arcades Shopping Centre is along the Great East road.

Henry Tayali Visual Arts Centre (Lusaka)

The Henry Tayali Visual Arts Centre is the headquarters of the Zambia National Visual Arts Council (ZNVAC). The centre, which officially opened in 1991, is said to be the largest gallery in Lusaka. It has a collection of authentic and contemporary art works by Zambians. On average, the centre has a minimum of 10 exhibitions a year. The Henry Tayali Visual Arts Centre is located on lion lane within the show grounds. It’s open from 08:00hrs to 17:00hrs during weekdays and from 10:00hrs to 16:30hrs on weekends.

Chisokone Crafts Market (Kitwe)

Established in 1973 at Kitwe’s Chisokone market is the Kitwe curio market which is managed by Kitwe Curio Traders Association. Products include items such as woven bags, ash trays, traditional stools, miniature Elephants, Rhinos, and Zebras carved out of hard wood.

Mukuni Park Market (Livingstone)

Mukuni Park Curio Market is located in the centre of Livingstone town. In existence since 1905, Mukuni Park is the oldest garden park in Zambia. Crafts on offer are indigenous artefacts, carvings of human figurines, animals, leather goods, bead works, drums, spears and walking sticks. The market offers the best price and the best quality for your gifts from Zambia. It is open daily from 06:00hrs to 20:00hrs.

Articles compiled from Tourism Zambia and Zambia-advi