Courtesy in Zambia

Zambia → Courtesy

Full Zambia Travel Guide » Zambia Interactive Map » Print This Article »

Zambians follow a strict patriarchal society — men are afforded more respect than women, and older men are respected more than younger men. However you might find that a white person, of any gender or age, is granted the most respect of all. A holdover from colonial times, this might make a traveler uncomfortable, but this is largely a Zambian's way of being courteous. Accept their hospitality.

Zambians are a curious people. To a Western mindset, this might be interpreted as unnecessarily staring at you or talking about you in front of you. Be prepared to be greeted by kids yelling mazungu, mazungu! (literally, white man) and answer lots of questions about yourself.

Zambians love to shake hands, and you should oblige them. However, Zambians often like to hold hands for the duration of a conversation. This should not be interpreted as anything sexual; they are merely trying to "connect" with you. If you feel uncomfortable, simply pull your hand away.

Women should not wear shorts or mini-skirts, especially as they travel away from Lusaka. (Thighs, to Zambian men, are huge turn-ons.) Low-cut tops, however, while discouraged, are not nearly as provocative.

Finally, when meeting a Zambian — even to ask a question — you should always say hello and ask how they are. Properly greeting a Zambian is very important. They are uncomfortable with the Western notion of simply "getting to the point."

Zambia Travel Guide

Select a section to browse the Zambia guide

Zambia Interactive Travel Map

Experience iGuide's remarkable interactive Zambia travel map

Zambia Deals

Deals by BookingBuddy * Taxes and fees may be extra

On the Map in Zambia

Select a place to explore the interactive map

Busanga, a stream in Central Province
Busanga Flood Plain, a plain in North-Western Province
Chandao, a stream in Northern Province
Chansuleni, in Copperbelt Province
Chansunsu, a stream in Luapula Province
Chantayingi, a hill in Northern Province
Chantete Hill, a hill in North-Western Province
Chimbwi, a stream in Northern Province
Chindo, a stream in Northern Province
Chinyama, in North-Western Province
Chinyama Forest, a forest in Western Province
Chulu, a hill in Central Province
Chumbi, a hill in Eastern Province
Chumbwe, a hill in Luapula Province
Gitwa, a hill in Southern Province
Kafue Flats, a plain in Southern Province
Kafufurwe, a hill in Lusaka Province
Kalengwa, in North-Western Province
Kalengwana, a forest in Western Province
Kalili, a stream in Northern Province
Kalongola, a stream in Northern Province
Kamangula, in North-Western Province
Kantakashi, a stream in Northern Province
Kantakawela, a stream in Central Province
Kantana, a plain in Western Province
Kantebele, a hill in Northern Province
Kapili Mukusu, a hill in Northern Province
Kaposhi, in Western Province
Kapulumuka, a hill in Northern Province
Kasoma Lwela, in Luapula Province
Kasomba, a stream in Luapula Province
Kati Ridge, a ridge in Northern Province
Katuzu, a stream in Central Province
Kichile, a stream in North-Western Province
Kifubwa Hill, a hill in North-Western Province
Kimale Hill, a hill in North-Western Province
Kimbwi, a hill in Central Province
Lake Sune, a lake in Luapula Province
Libanda, a lake in Western Province
Loba, a stream in North-Western Province
Luela, a stream in Northern Province
Lukupa, a stream in Northern Province
Lukusi, a forest in Western Province
Lwaba, a stream in Luapula Province
Lwafuze, a plain in Western Province
Lwahumba, a plain in Western Province
Lwazu, a hill in Northern Province

Manuka, a stream in North-Western Province
Mayayu, a waterhole in Western Province
Mayela, a forest in Western Province
Milombwa, a stream in Luapula Province
Milombwe, a stream in Luapula Province
Miloswe, a stream in Northern Province
Moses Chiwone, in Northern Province
Moshi Rest Camp, in North-Western Province
Mpundu, a hill in Northern Province
Muchima, a stream in Northern Province
Mudeu, a stream in Western Province
Mulemale, in Northern Province
Mungomba, in Western Province
Muswabili, in Western Province
Muwamba, a stream in Northern Province
Mwiya, in Western Province
Myambo, a stream in Northern Province
Namawa, in Western Province
Namayanga, a plain in Western Province
Ndabala, in Central Province
Ndalampakule, a hill in Southern Province
Njoko, in Northern Province
Njopu, a plain in Western Province
Njuli, a plain in Western Province
Nyamalolo Pan, a pan in North-Western Province
Nyamama-Jovwe, a forest in Western Province
Nyamasefu, a hill in Northern Province
Pokolwe, in Northern Province
Proberts Point, a hill in Central Province
Puka, in Western Province
Puku Flats, a plain in Southern Province
Pulakamanga, a plain in Western Province
Pumbu Hill, a hill in Eastern Province
Sambwe, a stream in Northern Province
Sancha, a hill in Central Province
Sande, a plain in Western Province
Sinelingonzi, in Northern Province
Sungutu, a forest in Western Province
Sunsumana, a hill in Northern Province
Sunya, a plain in Western Province
Supuma, a grassland in Western Province
Viteli, a plain in Western Province
Vyeyu, a hill in Eastern Province
Walilangu, a hill in Northern Province
Washama, in Northern Province

Ultimate Travel Search

Further Information

iGuide's free Zambia travel guide and interactive map
Zambia encyclopedia article from Wikipedia
Zambia Tourist Information from You.travel
Courtesy in Zambia
Bookmark & share: iGuide or "Courtesy in Zambia"

iGuide is the world's premier travel mashup and travel map | About iGuide

Zambia: Courtesy is based on work by AHeneen, Hans Hillewaert, Globe-trotter, Burmesedays, ChubbyWimbus, Kopa, Tatatabot, iGuide, and others. Zambia Travel Guide & Zambia Interactive Map is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0. See background image credits.