Eastern Province, Zambia

Eastern
Province

Map of Eastern Province

Eastern Province showing its districts.
Country  Zambia
Capital Chipata
Area
 • Total 51,476 km2 (19,875 sq mi)
Population (2010)
 • Total 1,592,661
 • Density 31/km2 (80/sq mi)

Eastern Province is one of Zambia's ten provinces. The province lies between the Luangwa River and borders with Malawi to the east and Mozambique to the south, from Isoka in the northeast to the north of Luangwa in the south.[1] The provincial capital is Chipata. Eastern province has an area of 51,476 km (31,986 mi), locally shares border with three other provinces of the country and has eleven districts.

As per the 2010 Zambian census, Eastern Province had a population of 1,592,661, accounting to 12.16% of the total Zambian population. The sex ratio was 1,030 for every 1,000 males. As of 2010, Chewa was the largest community in the region with 39.7 per cent of the total population and Chewa was the widely spoken language with 34.6 per cent speaking it. On the tourism front, the province has four national parks, while the Nc'wala festival celebrated in Chipata District by Ngoni tribe during February is the most prominent festival in the province. Agriculture is the major occupation in the province with 20.41 per cent of the total area cultivated in Zambia. The province accounted for 19.61 per cent of the total agricultural production in the country with Sunflower being the major crop. Chipata Airport and Mfuwe Airport are the two airports in the province.

History

A set of trees and settlement with hills in the background
View of Chipata, the largest city in the province

The history of the province is centered around Chewa who under the rule of Kalonga Gawa Undi established a vast empire extending to the modern day Central Malawi to the northeastern part of Tete Province in Mozambique.[2] The chieftains of the Empire exercised control over the territory in modern times. The most notable of them being Kalonga Gawa Undi X, whose regime started in 1954. By 1957, he joined Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula's political party that supported the British Colonial Empire. By the time he completed his European tour and returned to his province, nationalism had almost spread in the entire province. To avoid uprising, periodic fatalities and loyalty he enjoyed among masses, he supported the nationalist movement.[3] Post independence, during the 60s, some of the districts in the province had unprecedented growth in infrastructure and agriculture. But the growth of the province was terminated along with the country on account of falling Copper prices.[4]

As of 2010, Chewa was the largest community in the region with 39.7 per cent population and Chewa was the widely spoken language in Eastern province with 34.6 per cent speaking it.[5] The province was claimed as a part of Malwai in 1968 by then Malawian President Dr. Hastings Kamazu Banda. He was then a supporter of apartheid in South Africa against the wishes of Organization of African Unity (OAU). The then Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda openly asked Malawi to go on war with Zambia to claim the province and also affirmed that Zambia would not have trade relations with Malawi until the claim on territory is withdrawn. The expansionist ambition of Malawi was discontinued and the Eastern Province remained with Zambia.[6]

Geography

The south east corner of the province borders Malawi to its east and Mozambique to its south. Luangwa Valley rifting the highlands dividing Zambia and Malawi, is located in the region. The small portion of Nyika Plateau above Lake Nyasa is located in the northern portion of the province.[7] Chipata is the most developed city in the province and the fifth most developed in the nation, followed by Lundazi and Petauke. The Province is bordered by Muchinga Province in the northwest and Central Province and Lusaka Province in the south west. There are isolated hills on the eastern border, some of which raise to a height of 6,000 ft (1,800 m) to 7,000 ft (2,100 m). The province, like seven other provinces leaving Luapala and Northern provinces, lies in the watershed region between Congo DR and Zambezi river systems.[8]

Climate data for Eastern (Zambia)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 27.8
(82)		 28
(82)		 28.3
(82.9)		 28.3
(82.9)		 27.6
(81.7)		 26.1
(79)		 26.1
(79)		 27.4
(81.3)		 30.7
(87.3)		 31.4
(88.5)		 30.9
(87.6)		 28.8
(83.8)		 31.4
(88.5)
Average low °C (°F) 18.2
(64.8)		 17.9
(64.2)		 17.4
(63.3)		 16
(61)		 13.6
(56.5)		 11
(52)		 10.6
(51.1)		 12.7
(54.9)		 17
(63)		 18.7
(65.7)		 19.1
(66.4)		 18.7
(65.7)		 10.6
(51.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21
(0.83)		 16
(0.63)		 14
(0.55)		 6
(0.24)		 1
(0.04)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 2
(0.08)		 8
(0.31)		 18
(0.71)		 86
(3.39)
Source: [9]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1964480,000—    
1969510,000+6.2%
1980911,552+78.7%
1990953,506+4.6%
20001,306,173+37.0%
20101,592,661+21.9%
Sources:

As per the 2010 Zambian census, Eastern Province had a population of 1,592,661 accounting to 12.16per cent of the total Zambian population of 1,3,092,666. There were 784,680 males and 807,981 females, making the sex ratio to 1,030 for every 1,000 males, compared to the national average of 1,028.[12] The literacy rate stood at 54.40 per cent against a national average of 70.2 per cent.[13] The rural population constituted 87.42 per cent, while the urban population was 12.58 per cent. The total area of the province was 51,476 km2 and the population density was 30.90 per km2. The population density during 2000 Zambian census stood at 30.90.[14] The decadal population growth of the province was 2.60 per cent. The median age in the province at the time of marriage was 20.1.[15] The average household size was 5.2, with the families headed by females being 4.3 and 5.5 for families headed by men.[16] The total eligible voters in the province constituted 60.30 per cent.[17] The unemployment rate of the province was 8.80 per cent. The total fertility rate was 6.6, complete birth rate was 6.3, crude birth rate was 38.0, child women population at birth was 819, general fertility rate was 168, gross reproduction rate was 2.6 and net reproduction rate was 1.8.[18] The total labour force constituted 58.70 per cent of the total population. Out of the labour force,67.4 per cent were men and 50.7 per cent women. The annual growth rate of labour force was 1.8 per cent.[19] Bemba was the most spoken language with 60.00per cent speaking it.[20] Albinism is a condition where the victims do not have any pigment in their skin, hair or eyes. The total population in the province with the condition stood at 3,225.[21] The life expectancy at birth stood at 46 compared to the national average of 51.[22]

Culture and wildlife parks

For more details on this topic, see Wildlife of Zambia § Eastern Province.
Elephants in South Luangwa National Park

Luangwa valley in Eastern Province has one of the best managed wild life management areas in Zambia.[6] South Luangwa National Park (although most of it lies outside the province, its management and the only public road access is from the province), North Luangwa National Park in Northern Province, Luambe National Park and Lukusuzi National Park are the major national parks in Eastern province. Game management areas cover most of the Luangwa Valley outside the national parks, and many animals migrate through the Province between the valley and game reserves in the highlands of neighbouring Malawi.[23]

The Nc'wala festival celebrated in Chipata District by Ngoni tribe during February, Kulamba festival celebrated in Katete District by Chewa tribe during August, Kulonga festival celebrated in Lundazi District by Tumbuka tribe during August, Malaila festival celebrated in Mambwe District by Kunda tribe during October, Zengani festival celebrated in Lundazi District by Tumbuka tribe during October, Tuwimba festival celebrated in Petauke District by Nsenga tribe during October are the major festivals in the province.[24] Kulamba Ceremony is the national gathering of Chewa in Zambia, Mosambique and Malawi. The Chewa chiefs pay homage to their king Kalonga Gawa Undi. Historically, the people inform their troubles to the king, while in modern times the chieftains inform their issues to the government. The festival originated during the 15th century.[25][26] N'cwala is the annual gathering of the Ngoni tribe and is also dubbed as first fruits ceremony. It is held during the last week of February to the first week of March for three days. The inmates of the tribe and onlookers attend the event in thousands and arrive at Mutenguleni villages near the city of Chipata.[3][27]

Administration

Profession[28] % of working population
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing (by Industry)19.10
Community, Social and Personal6.30
Construction7.10
Electricity, Gas, and water4.10
Financial & Insurance activities2.40
Hotels and Restaurants3.10
Manufacturing4.30
Mining & Quarrying0.50
Transportation and Storage4.10
Wholesale & Retail Trade5.70

Provincial administration in Zambia is set up purely for administrative purposes. The province is headed by a minister appointed by the President and there are ministries of central government for each province. The administrative head of the province is the Permanent Secretary, appointed by the President. There is a Deputy Permanent Secretary, heads of government departments and civil servants at the provincial level. Eastern Province is divided into nine districts, namely, Chadiza District, Chipata District, Katete District, Lundazi District, Mambwe District, Nyimba District, Petauke District, Sinda District and Vubwi District. All the district headquarters are the same as the district names. There are nine councils in the province, each of which is headed by an elected representative, called councilor. Each councilor holds office for three years.[29] The administrative staff of the council is selected based on Local Government Service Commission from within or outside the district. The office of the provincial government is located in each of the district headquarters and has provincial local government officers and auditors. Each council is responsible for raising and collecting local taxes, and the budgets of the council are audited and submitted every year after the annual budget. The elected members of the council do not draw salaries, but are paid allowances from the council. Eastern is a predominantly rural province and hence there are no city or municipal councils. The government stipulates 63 different functions for the councils with the majority of them being infrastructure management and local administration. Councils are mandated to maintain each of their community centres, zoos, local parks, drainage system, playgrounds, cemeteries, caravan sites, libraries, museums and art galleries. They also work along with specific government departments for helping in agriculture, conservation of natural resources, postal service, establishing and maintaining hospitals, schools and colleges. The councils prepare schemes that encourage community participation.[30] Chama District from the province was aligned to the newly created Muchinga Province in 2011. The province recorded the highest rural population of 1,392,338 in 2010 among all provinces in the country. The lowest median age of 20.1 years was recorded in the province as of 2010.[31]

Economy, health and education

HIV infected & AIDS deaths[32]
YearHIV infected AIDS deaths
1985779107
199011,864384
199549,7502,688
200076,2136,721
200581,6809,614
201080,1939,338

As of 2004, the province had 861 basic schools, 41 high schools and the number of school children out of school in ages between 7 and 15 stood at 861. The unemployment rate was 6 per cent and the general unemployment rate for youth stood at 12 per cent as of 2008. The province had 36 doctors as of 2005. There were 447 Malaria incidence for every 1,000 people in the province as of 2005 and there were 9,338 AIDS death as of 2010.[33] As of 2010, the province had the lowest literacy rate of 54.4 per cent among all provinces in the country.[13]

The total area of crops planted during the year 2014 in the province was 387,273.09 hectares which constituted 20.41 per cent of the total area cultivated in Zambia. The net production stood at 799,026 metric tonnes, which formed 19.61 per cent of the total agricultural production in the country. Sunflower was the major crop in the province with 24,053 metric tonnes, constituting 70.20 per cent of the national output.[34]

Chipata Airport and Mfuwe Airport are the two airports in the province.[35][36]

Notes

  1. ↑ Simon, David J.; Pletcher, James R.; Siegel, Brian V., eds. (2008). "Eastern Province". Historical Dictionary of Zambia. African Historical Dictionaries. 106 (3rd ed.). Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-8108-5305-8.
  2. ↑ Kalusa, Mtonga, p. 7
  3. 1 2 Kalusa, Mtonga, p. 40
  4. ↑ Kalusa, Mtonga, p. 79
  5. ↑ Census 2012, p. 63
  6. 1 2 Mwakikagile 2009, p. 64
  7. ↑ Mwakikagile 2009, p. 67
  8. ↑ "Geography of Zambia". Zambia Tourism Board. 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  9. ↑ "Weather statistics for Eastern (Zambia)". Norway: Norwegian Meteorological Institute and Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  10. ↑ Census of population and housing, 1969 (PDF) (Report). Lusaka: Central Statistical Office, Republic of Zambia. 1970. pp. A6–7.
  11. ↑ Summary report for the 2000 Census of population (Report). Lusaka: Central Statistical Office, Republic of Zambia. 2003. p. 6.
  12. 1 2 Census 2012, p. 7
  13. 1 2 Census 2012, p. 24
  14. ↑ Census 2012, p. 17
  15. ↑ Census 2012, pp. 12–13
  16. ↑ Census 2012, p. 19
  17. ↑ Census 2012, p. 21
  18. ↑ Census 2012, p. 44
  19. ↑ Census 2012, p. 93
  20. ↑ Census 2012, p. 99
  21. ↑ Census 2012, p. 78
  22. ↑ Census 2012, p. 74
  23. ↑ "Areas in Zambia". Zambia Tourism Board. 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  24. ↑ "Traditional Ceremonies". Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Republic of Zambia. 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  25. ↑ Kalusa, Mtonga, p. 98
  26. ↑ "Lungu expected to grace the Kulamba ceremony of the Chewa people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique". Lusaka Times. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  27. ↑ Taylor, Scott D. (2006). Culture and Customs of Zambia. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-313-33246-3.
  28. ↑ "Labour force survey". Central Stastistical Office of Zambia. 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  29. ↑ Zambi Public administration Country profile (PDF) (Report). Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations. 2004. p. 7. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  30. ↑ The local government system in Zambia (PDF) (Report). Common Wealth Local Government Forum. pp. 218–220. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  31. ↑ Census 2012, p. 18
  32. ↑ "AIDS and HIV statistics". Central Stastistical Office of Zambia. 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  33. ↑ "Atlas Home". Zambia data portal, Central statistical Office of Zambia. 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  34. ↑ "Agriculture statistics of Zambia 2014". Central Stastistical Office of Zambia. 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  35. ↑ "Airports in Zamiba". The Great Circle Mapper. 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  36. ↑ "Code for Trade and Transport Locations". United Nations. 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

References

Coordinates: 13°00′S 32°15′E / 13.000°S 32.250°E / -13.000; 32.250

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