Kawaza Cultural Village, Mfuwe, Zambia: A Detailed Guide
The Kunda people, who came to this section of the Valley from the Luba region in the Congo in the early 1800s, are indigenous to this area. About 35,000 individuals call themselves Kundas, a little tribe. The bulk of today’s Kundas are subsistence farmers, although their traditional occupation was hunting. Extreme seasons and animals that prey on crops make for difficult situations. The locals in the Nsefu region have maintained their ancient way of life.
Cultural tourism was introduced by the community in 1997, which was an uncommon move. Modern tourists, in their view, care about more than just seeing animals; they want to interact with and learn about the locals as well. Furthermore, they are of the firm belief that the schoolchildren will benefit from having visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Guests in Kawaza Village will have the opportunity to stay in authentic hamlet huts, where they can rest on elevated mats (with beds) and enjoy home-cooked meals cooked over an open fire. When the guest arrives, a personalized program is created according to their preferences.
Some of the options include:
Observing the local church and clinic, going on a nature walk to learn about the traditional uses of various trees and plants, and touring the palace of the Senior Kunda Chief are all part of the itinerary. Visits to the traditional healer and the Kawaza School to engage in conversation with the students.
During your stay, you will be paired with hosts that are fluent in English and have a great grasp of what visitors require. Guests can immerse themselves in the local culture at the village. Having said that, the restroom is fashioned in an English manner, with a long drop and a thunderbox. The beds are furnished with a mattress, linens, and a mosquito net.
Unlike some tourist traps, Kawaza Village was not “set up” to generate money. It is the locals that are eager to meet visitors from other places and share their culture and views. They anticipate that this trade will be good for both of their children and themselves. Additionally, they would like to collect funds for the school and community improvement projects.