Zambia, Africa

Westhampton, MA – September 2, 2009 Richard Ammon – GlobalGayz.com In loving memory of Zambian lesbian activist Buumba Sikumba (BMJ) who was interviewed by me for the GlobalGayz story on gay life in Zambia in 2008. She passed away in September 2009 after an illness. She was a full spirit with a passion for life and for human rights. A bigger-than-life figure she was also a freelance journalist, radio producer and “one of the best DJs in Lusaka” said one admirer. Her energy and intelligence helped start the current LGBT organization Rainka. Her absence will be felt for a long time.Posted Laguna Niguel, California, United States.

Gay life in Zambia is limited and closeted for the most part. Amid the political, religious and legal homophobia, however, a lively private gay society bubbles quietly under the surface. A new LGBT organization is in the formative stages of coming alive. This story is dedicated to the memory of Zambian lesbian activist Buumba Sikumba (BMJ) who was interviewed for this story. (See below) She passed away in September 2009 after an illness. She was a full spirit with a passion for life and for human rights. A bigger-than-life figure she was also a freelance journalist, radio producer and “one of the best DJs in Lusaka” said one admirer. Her energy and intelligence helped start the present LGBT organization Rainka. Her absence will be felt for a long time. Also see: Gay Zambia News & Reports 1996 to present Gay Zambia Photo Galleries By Richard Ammon March 2008 History and

Lusaka is the capital of Zambia; it’s a non-descript city of about 1.5 million people that bustles in the day and rolls up at night. In recent years, Lusaka has become a popular urban settlement for Zambians and tourists alike. Its mostly stable government and improved infrastructure sector have increased donor confidence and as such Zambians are seeing some signs of development. Nevertheless, it is estimated that the nation’s economy still depends on foreign support for about half of it revenue. In the country’s northwest is the Chinese-built-and-managed Chambishi copper mine. For a special report on the humanitarian problems at the mine check here.

Victoria Falls are very spectacular from any point of view, land or air. Although the Falls constitute neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, the claim is that it’s the largest is based on a width of 1.7 kilometres (1 mi) and height of 108 meters (360 ft), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The unusual form of Victoria Falls enables virtually the whole width of the falls to be viewed face-on, as well as from the top just one metre (3 ft) from the waters edge, as the whole Zambezi River drops into a deep, narrow chasm, connected to a long curving gorge. Many of Africa’s animals and birds can be seen in the immediate vicinity of Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls are one of Africa’s major tourist attractions, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The falls are shared between Zambia and

Victoria Falls are very spectacular from any point of view, land or air. Although the Falls constitute neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, the claim is that it’s the largest is based on a width of 1.7 kilometres (1 mi) and height of 108 meters (360 ft), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The unusual form of Victoria Falls enables virtually the whole width of the falls to be viewed face-on, as well as from the top just one metre (3 ft) from the waters edge, as the whole Zambezi River drops into a deep, narrow chasm, connected to a long curving gorge. Many of Africa’s animals and birds can be seen in the immediate vicinity of Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls are one of Africa’s major tourist attractions, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The falls are shared between Zambia and

The Tazara train from Dar es Salaam to (almost) Lusaka, Zambia takes about 43 hours–give or take some hours–and covers a distance of about 2000 kilometers (1200 miles). Along the track and across the green landscape life teems with energy, rural peasant life, curious children, aggressive vendors and even a wedding (photos 58-63). The track was originally laid down in the 1970′s by the Chinese who sought to bring copper out of Zambia. The passenger carriages and engines were built about the same time and have not been upgraded much since.  

Home to the spectacular Victoria Falls, Livingstone is a modest town of about 100,000 people bustling with commerce, tourism and the usual hardscrabble laborers. On the outskirts of town are many rustic houses and some nicer homes as well as various private grammar schools. The roads in these areas are unpaved and rough and the railroad no longer connects to Zimbabwe. Among these residences is the Livingstone Human Rights Commission office–quite a distance from downtown. This visit coincided with the 2008 International Women’s Day rally in Livingstone (photos 37-65).