Zambia

Zambia Philately: 1970 – Zambian Traditional Crafts

thedigitalphilatelist 30/11/1970

Zambia’s diverse cultures bring with them a wide variety of traditional skills. Crafts can be found in great variety if not in abundance and among them is some of the finest basketry in Africa.

The economy of most of the crafts people is based on fishing, cattle or the cultivation of crops. Craftwork is often done seasonally to supplement the incomes of many families. It was originally intended for barter and made according to the needs of other villagers. To many, especially the subsistence farmers, craftwork is their only means of earning cash.

Basketry, practised by both the men and the women is widespread. The many forms and raw materials used reflect the environment in which they are made: bamboo, liana vines, roots, reeds, grasses, rushes, papyrus palm leaves, bark and sisal. They are decorated with symbolic designs using traditional dyes made from different coloured soils, roots, bark and leaves. The Lozi and Mbunda people in the Western Province are particularly skilled in this field.

It is the men that usually do the woodwork and carving and produce canoes, furniture, walking sticks, utensils and food bowls as well as masks, drums and a variety of animal forms. The potters are usually, though not always, women who work the clay and then fire them on open fires or pits.

Details
  • Date of Issue: 30 November 1970
  • Date Withdrawn: 28 February 1971*
  • Date Invalidated:
  • Designer: Gabriel Ellison
  • Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd
  • Process: Lithography (Delacryl process)
  • Paper: 
  • Watermark: None
  • Perf: Comb
    • 14 (3n, 5n)
    • 13.5 (15n)
    • 12.5 (25n)
    • Imperforate (Miniature Sheet)
  • Cylinders: 
    • 1B 2B 1B 2B : 1A 2A 1A 2A  (3n)
    • 1C 2C 1C 2C : 1D 2D 1D 2D (3n)
    • 1B 1B 1B : 1A 1A 1A (5n)
    • 1C 1C 1C : 1D 1D 1D (5n)
    • 1B 1B 1B : 1A 1A 1A (15n)
    • 1B 1B 1B 1B 1B: 1A 1A 1A 1A 1A (25n)
  • Sheet:
    • R5 x 5 (3n, 5n, 15n)
    • R10 x 2 (25n)
  • Quantity:

*The miniature sheet was on sale at certain post offices (eg. the parcels office in Lusaka) throughout 1971.

Subjects
First Day Covers (official)
Zambia National Archives

The Zambia National Archives contained a copy of an official first day cover postmarked G.P.O. Stamp Bureau/First Day of Issue.

References