LAMBA INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY

The results of an inquiry into the indigenous and cultural astronomy of the Lamba people of the Copperbelt Province of Zambia have been reported in the first stage inquiry. The study has assessed the oral astronomy knowledge, culture and beliefs which relate to celestial bodies, astronomy events and related behaviour that are held by the elderly persons and passed on to the younger generation. Nine districts of the Copperbelt Province of Zambia were randomly sampled. These include Mpongwe, Lufwanyama, Ndola, Kitwe, Kalulushi, Chililabombwe, Masaiti, and Luanshya. Knowledge of traditional astronomy levels is high among the elderly people and declines with age of the younger generation hence the need for documenting this knowledge before it fades away. We seek to produce a documentary, a book and audio clips of the findings of this indigenous astronomy inquiry as a means to store the information as it has been told and consequently preserve it. A follow-up to the areas and to persons who were interviewed and who participated in the focus group discussions will be made to consolidate the video and oral recordings. The records will be combined, edited to produce an appealing documentary of the project findings.