Chief Ishima Looks to Lunda Folktales in the Fight to Protect Forests

Long before environmental protection became the subject of formal dialogues, Lunda elders had their own way of discouraging people from destroying forests. One of their traditional tools was the folktale of Chishimukulu, a fearsome figure whose story was used to warn against indiscriminate tree cutting.

Chief Ishima of Zambezi District in North-Western Province says the practice shows how cultural traditions can help communities safeguard natural resources and pass environmental lessons from one generation to the next.

Speaking at the Environmental Protection Dialogue at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, the traditional leader raised concern that these customs are gradually losing their place in family life.

He pointed to the growing use of mobile phones and the decline of gatherings around the traditional fireplace, where elders once shared stories and taught children values that shaped their relationship with the environment.

For Chief Ishima, the loss goes beyond storytelling. It also threatens a community-based way of encouraging people to respect forests and preserve natural resources for future generations.

He believes families have a role to play in keeping these traditions alive by creating time for elders to share folktales and the lessons they carry.

The Environmental Protection Dialogue brings together stakeholders to discuss environmental governance and sustainable development. It is organised annually by the Centre for Environment Justice in collaboration with Government and cooperating partners.