Luanshya - 2001

From Great North Road

By Heather Chalcraft.

Heather's Copperbelt trip November 2001 - Luanshya and on the way to Luanshya from Ndola.

Only the following need explanations:

Mushroom - on the Kapiri - Ndola road. We haven't seen mushrooms yet in Lusaka, but they are very much in evidence on the Copperbelt which has had more rain than we have.

Luanshya Bypass - the officer at the road block at the Luanshya bypass was very happy to put his gloves on for a photo.

Luanshya hospital - this is the maternity wing. My daughter was born there in 1989.

Mushroom.

Barclays Bank - 2001.

Luanshya Hospital - 2001.

Luanshya Hospital Maternity - 2001.

Luanshya Pool - 2001.

Luanshya Rec Club - 2001.

Roan Antelope Rugby Club 114ft 4inches high.

Luanshya Street - 2001.

Standard Bank Luanshya - 2001.

Policeman at road block.

Chichele Mofu Tree.

The Chichele Mofu Tree (Entandrophragma Delevoyi) - this is on the Ndola to Kitwe road and is a national monument. Unfortunately the plaque next to the Chichele Mofu tree is no longer there.

(Extracted from 'National Monuments of Zambia', published by the National Heritage Conversation Commission and 'Know Your Trees' published by The Regional Soil Conservation Unit)

This tree was declared a National Monument by President Kaunda on 21 March 1976 to commemorate Zambia's first year of participation in World Forestry Day. It symbolises the need to conserve trees and use them wisely.

The tree is also part of Zambia's folklore, as it is an 'Ngulu' or 'Spirit house' in which, according to Lamba tradition, the spirit of a Chief, long dead, lives. This spirit has to be propitiated before the tree can be safely cut and a simple rite is performed involving a leaf of Rothmannia englerana and three or more people have to hold the handle of the axe when the first cut is made.

This tree stands approximately 30 metres tall, has a girth of 3 metres and is about 200 years old.

The plaque which was at the foot of the tree read:

The Tree's Prayer

(Portuguese Poem, Anon)

Ye who would pass by and raise your hand against me,

Hearken 'ere you harm me,

I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights,

The friendly shade screening you from the summer sun;

And my fruits are refreshing draughts

quenching your thirst as you journey on.

I am the beam that holds your house,

the board on your table,

the bed on which you lie

and the timber that builds your boat.

I am the handle of your hoe and the door of your homestead

The wood of your cradle and the shell of your coffin

I am the gift of God and the friend of man,

Ye who passes by, listen to my prayer ........

HARM ME NOT.