ZCC Group 3

Social institutions consist of a group of people who have come together for a common
purpose. there are six (6) major institutions that are recognised universally and whose
functions are fairly relatable but could vary depending on one’s culture and geographical
location. These institutions have been grouped into six (6) major ones namely; Education,
Politics, health, Economics, family and religion. Carl (1979) suggests it’s important to note
that it is likely that there be some common or overlapping social institutions, each with its
relevant set of functions which vary somewhat depending on social values, moral standards
and level of civilisation.
Therefore, after that description of social institutions we can therefore define these
institutions as systems of value and rules that determine how our society is organised, these
institutions make our society functionable for us to live together in harmony. Thus, through
out the presentation we will link the social institutions to our ethnic (cultural) groupings in
Zambia with a number of examples cited where need be for a clearer understanding of the
topic of discussion. Its important to link everything to culture as it is the centre of our course.
Then this is to suggest that cultural institutions are such that acknowledge mission to engage
in the conservation, interpretation and dissemination of cultural values, practices, rites,
customs, rituals etc to promote continuation and transmission of culture across generations.
Education as part of social institutions in Zambian ethnic groups, is defined as the life long
process of acquiring knowledge, norms, morals, values and skills from the time one is born
up to death. We have western and indigenous education in Zambia. Therefore, our main
focuss is to discuss how education is being tacked traditionally. For example, we have
chinamwali of the chewa speaking people of eastern province which is called differently from
other tribes. In these small institution, girls are being taught how manage their menstruation,
be good wives and mothers. Furthermore, we also have small institutions for boys. For
example, mkanda of Luvale speaking. Here boys are taught survival skills, how to be good
fathers and husbands.
The second social institution in Zambian ethnic groups is health. All tribes in Zambia
develop their culture and traditional practices. These indigenous traditional practices are
created by needs and the available means to satisfy these needs, and to overcome the
difficulties in satisfying them. In times of difficulty, such communities may resort to mystic
and supernatural powers for help. This has been the trend from times immemorial, the world
over. We have traditional healers. These people helps the communities where they are found
in terms of giving herbs to people maybe witched or just suffering from different diseases,
and their health restored. Not only that but we also midwives small institution, and this is
where women are trained traditionally to help the communities in terms of giving birth or
delivering. Instead of rushing them to the clinics and hospitals, the community trained people
are able to help out.
Furthermore, we also have religious institutions in Zambian ethnic groups. Under this
religious, we have scared places where rituals and rites are being conducted and this places
are respected by every member of this community. For example, malende of Tonga speaking
people. This is ritual tradition religious perform when there is drought. They perform this to
ask god to brings rains for the survival. Not only that, but there is also witchcraft as part of
tradition religious.
The other main institution is political system. Political system in most ethnic groups in
Zambia are controlled by Chieftainship. Every lineage in of inheritance, that is including the
Paramount Chiefs are being elected by consensus on grounds of 'maturity, reputation of
wisdom and rhetoric abilities. The idea of seniority in society or lineage 'was sometimes
considered but not as a perquisite to the former. Lineage, according to the tribes, means all
individuals have has to participate in discussion making . These traditional politics consists of
local customary courts, from the top chief descending to indunas and village head men and
women institutions. The main duty of these traditional structures or institutions is to make
rules and discussions that governed communities. Museums are also part of traditional small
institution. Here they keep traditional remains, carvings and historical tangible things for
cultural preservation and tourists attraction. Therefore, money is being earned for
communities development.
In addition to the main social institutions in Zambian ethnic groupings, is economic. In
Zambian households set up, we discover that we survive through subsistence farming. This
through keeping of goats, cows and chickens.
Lastly we have family. Family is a group of people related either by blood or marriage.

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Social institutions consist of a group of people who have come together for a common

and level of civilisation.

in the conservation, interpretation and dissemination of cultural values, practices, rites,

fathers and husbands.

are able to help out.

Paramount Chiefs are being elected by consensus on grounds of 'maturity, reputation of

In addition to the main social institutions in Zambian ethnic groupings, is economic. In

through keeping of goats, cows and chickens.

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