Join us for our third public forum remembering the Museum as we continue celebrating our 90th Anniversary. We have invited three former keepers to talk about their memories of working at the Livingstone Museum:
Prof. Francis Musonda
Prof. Musonda worked for the Livingstone Museum from 1973 to 1991 He was one of the first Zambian keepers of Prehistory. He later became head of the Humanities and Social Sciences Department and then Deputy Director.
Mr Flexon Mizinga
Mr Mizinga worked for the Livingstone Museum from 1989 to 1999. He overhauled the museum’s History Gallery in the early 1990s. He later became head of the Humanities and Social Sciences Department.
Mr Stanford Siachoono
Mr Siachoono worked for the Livingstone Museum from 1984 to 1991. He was the first Keeper of Mammalogy.
A link to the virtual event has been shared on our Facebook Page.
We successfully held our second public forum on 16th August 2024 as part of our 90th Anniversary celebrations. We invited three speakers to talk about memories of Livingstone Museum. Our speakers were: Mr Milan Kalců (Head of Cooperation at the Czech Embassy in Lusaka), who spoke about Dr Ladislav Holý, a Czech national and former Director of Livingstone Museum, Mr Nicholas Katanekwa (former Keeper of Prehistory at the Livingstone Museum), Mr Mubiana Luhila (the first Conservator at Livingstone Museum). Thank you to all those who attended in person or followed the session live on Facebook. 2024. Look out for more upcoming anniversary events, including an exhibition and more public forums to remember and celebrate our history.
Mr Milan Kalců (Head of Cooperation at the Czech Embassy in Lusaka), giving a presentation about Dr Ladislav Holý, a Czech national who was Director of Livingstone Museum from 1968 to 1972.
Mr Nicholas Katanekwa, who was Keeper of Preshistory from 1973 to 1981, talking about his work with the MuseumMr Mubiana Luhila, who worked for the Museum in various capacities between 1982 and 2001 and was the first Conservator.The audience
As we continue celebrating our 90th Anniversary, join us for our second public forum, where we invite former members of staff or people who have interacted with the Museum to talk about memories of Livingstone Museum:
Mr Milan Kalců
Mr Kalců is Head of Cooperation at the Czech Embassy in Lusaka. He oversees the humanitarian aid and development cooperation programme of Czechia in Zambia. He will be speaking about Dr Ladislav Holy, a Czech national who served as Director of Livingstone Museum from 1968 to 1972.
Mr Mubiana Luhila
Mr Luhila worked for the Livingstone Museum from 1982 to 2001 in various roles, including Librarian, Keeper of Ethnography and Art and Conservator. He started the Conservation Department at the Museum.
Mr Nicholas Katanekwa
Mr Katanekwa worked for the Livingstone Museum from 1973 to 1980. He was one of the first Zambian Keepers of Prehistory.
We had a wonderful public forum on 26th July 2024 as part of our 90th Anniversary celebrations. We invited four former members of staff to talk about their memories of working at the Livingstone Museum. Our speakers were: Mr Mwimanji Chellah (one of the longest serving Directors), Dr Shimwaayi Muntemba (first Zambian Keeper of History), Mr Mungoni Sitali (one of the longest serving Keepers of Ethnography and Art) and Dr Friday Mufuzi (former Keeper of History). Thank you to all those who attended in person or followed the session on Facebook. OUR NEXT FORUM IS ON FRIDAY, 16TH AUGUST, 2024. You are all invited! Look out for more details.
Mr Mwimanji Chellah, one of the longest serving Directors, who worked for the Museum from 1972 to 1993, speaking during the public forumDr Shimwaayi Muntemba, first Zambian Keeper of History, who served from 1967 to 1973, speaking during the public forum.
Mr Mungoni Sitali, one of the longest serving Keepers of Ethnography and Art, who served from 1982 to 2011, speaking during the forum
Dr Friday Mufuzi, former Keeper of History, who served from 2001 to 2013 and based his PhD thesis on the history of the MuseumThe audienceThe speakers with the current Museum Director, Mrs Victoria Chitungu
The speakers with members of staff and other members of the audience after the public forum.
Recent research in Mulobezi District by the Livingstone Museum yielded at least 12 different species of bats, most of which are new records for the area. Bats are one of the most diverse group of mammals and they play an important role in the ecosystem. Fruit-eating bats help in seed dispersal, pollination and reforestation, while insect-eating bats help control various insect pests. There are nearly 80 different types of bats in Zambia, but a lot is still to be known about their distribution. The information collected will be added to the upcoming Atlas of Zambian Bats currently being prepared by the Mammalogy Section. The research team – Clare Mateke, Maggie Mwale and Kenneth Kambimbi – and the Livingstone Museum, are grateful to the local authorities in the area for allowing us to carry out this important research.
Angolan Free-tailed BatSetting up netsRecording measurements of bats capturedPeters’ Epauletted Fruit BatSetting up netsVariegated Butterfly BatRecording data from a captured batWhite-bellied Free-tailed Bat
Livingstone Museum welcomed His Excellency Milos Vystrcil, Speaker of the Senate of the Czech Republic, and his delegation during their tour of Czech-supported projects in Southern Province. The delegation, which was in the country to explore business opportunities, included five senators, Czech Ambassador to Zambia, the Director General of the National Museum of the Czech Republic and the Director of Naprstek Museum of Asian African and American Cultures in Prague. They were accompanied by the Minister of Southern Province, Honourable Credo Nanjuwa. The delegation was given a tour of the Museum by the Director, Mrs Victoria Chitungu. This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Livingstone Museum and the National National Museum of the Czech Republic, represented by the Director General, Dr. Michal Lukeš. The two museums agreed to cooperate in the areas of exhibitions, conferences, workshops and exchanging professionals, among others. Before leaving, the delegation laid wreaths at the statue of Czech explorer Emil Holub outside the Museum.
After having closed on 18th June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are happy to inform you that we are now open to the public again and you are all welcome to come and visit. However, note that public health measures including washing hands and wearing of masks will still be required for all visitors.
We are excited to share with you an exhibition entitled “The role of Chokwe masks and symbols in Mukanda”. The Chokwe people were late arrivals into present-day Zambia, travelling from Angola in the early 1900s and settling in north-western Zambia. They are closely related to the Lwena, Luchazi, Lwimbi, Songo and Ovimbundu peoples of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, and share many cultural traits and traditions. This exhibition highlights the symbolism of Chokwe masks in the male initiation ceremony which is known as ‘Mukanda’. The collection of Chokwe masks and other cultural materials was donated to the National Museums Board and acquired with the courtesy of the Embassy of France in Zambia, Alliance Francaise of Lusaka, StArt Foundation and Total Zambia’s Financial Support. The exhibition opened on 4th June and will run until 27th June 2021.
