Land = Language

The journey continues - today we are visiting the African continent and having tea with our good friend Michael Songiso in Zambia. Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa with 72 tribes, 73 languages and 7 regional languages (fun fact, Michael can speak 5 out of 7)! Zambia was known as Northern Rhodesia during its 73 years of British rule/colonization and gained independence as the Republic of Zambia in 1964. The country is known for being EXTREMELY welcoming and peaceful (but more on that in the podcast). Using the classic colonial playbook, colonization tried to separate people from their culture and identities but Zambians have and continue to resist. Decolonization is a process of healing and helps us to reclaim and reconnect to our identity through our languages, songs, and stories. This work needs to happen in our own lives, families, workplaces and communities so we can uplift traditional knowledge in schools and government spaces. “When you speak the language of the Land, the Land will take care of you”