Zambia
Lumbanyeni Zambia
Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free
1964
1964
Collective
Enoch Sontonga (melody adapted)
✝ God / Faith 🕊 Freedom 🤝 Unity ☮ Peace |
Context
Adopted at independence from Britain in 1964 when Northern Rhodesia became Zambia. The anthem was initially based on the melody of 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' by Enoch Sontonga but was modified in 1973. The current version is sung in both Bemba (the most widely spoken local language) and English, reflecting the bilingual nature of Zambian public life.
Lyrics
Lumbanyeni Zambia, no kwanga
Ne cilumba twange tuumfwane,
Mpalume sha myeo yonse,
Tuleikale ntungulushi,
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
Tukwate pa ntungulushi,
Ne chisyomo ne chishili.
Stand and sing of Zambia, proud and free,
Land of work and joy in unity,
Victors in the struggle for the right,
We have won freedom's fight.
All one, strong and free.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • The anthem is sung in both Bemba and English, making it one of the few bilingual national anthems in Africa
- • Zambia is named after the Zambezi River, one of Africa's major rivers and home to Victoria Falls (locally called Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'The Smoke That Thunders')
- • The original melody was adapted from 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika,' the same hymn that forms part of South Africa's and Tanzania's anthems