Eastern Province, Zambia

File:Chipata_View.jpg, the largest city in the province|alt=A set of trees and settlement with hills in the background]]

The history of the province is centered around many Bantu groups who originated from Luba in the mordern day, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the then Zaire. The chieftains of the empires exercised control over the territory in modern times. After the independence of Zambia, during the 1960s, some of the districts in the province had unprecedented growth in infrastructure and agriculture. However, the growth of the province was terminated along with that of the country due falling copper prices.Kalusa, Mtonga, p. 79

As of 2020, the Chewa, Tumbuka and Nsenga were the largest communities in the region. The province was claimed as a part of Malawi in 1968 by the then Malawian President, Dr. Hastings Kamazu Banda. The then Zambian president, DrKenneth Kaunda, openly asked Malawi to engage war with Zambia to claim the province and also affirmed that Zambia would not have trade relations with Malawi until the claim on territory was withdrawn. The expansionist ambition of Malawi was discontinued and the Eastern Province remained with Zambia.

The south-east corner of the province borders Malawi to its east and Mozambique to its south. Luangwa Valley rifting the highlands dividing Zambia and Malawi, is located in the region. A small portion of Nyika Plateau above Lake Nyasa is located in the northern portion of the province.Mwakikagile 2009, p. 67 Chipata is the most developed city in the province and the fifth most developed in the nation, followed by Lundazi and Petauke. The province is bordered by Muchinga Province to the north-west and Central Province and Lusaka Province to the south-west. There are isolated hills on the eastern border, some of which raise to a height of {{convert|6000|ft|m|abbr=on}} to {{convert|7000|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The province, like seven other provinces except for Luapala and Northern provinces, lies in the watershed region between Congo and Zambezi river systems.{{cite web|title= Geography of Zambia|url=http://www.zambiatourism.com/about-zambia/geography|year=2011|access-date=19 October 2016|publisher=Zambia Tourism Board}}

{{Weather box

| location = Eastern (Zambia)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 27.8

| Feb record high C = 28

| Mar record high C = 28.3

| Apr record high C = 28.3

| May record high C = 27.6

| Jun record high C = 26.1

| Jul record high C = 26.1

| Aug record high C = 27.4

| Sep record high C = 30.7

| Oct record high C = 31.4

| Nov record high C = 30.9

| Dec record high C = 28.8

| year record high C = 31.4

| Jan low C = 18.2

| Feb low C = 17.9

| Mar low C = 17.4

| Apr low C = 16

| May low C = 13.6

| Jun low C = 11

| Jul low C = 10.6

| Aug low C = 12.7

| Sep low C = 17

| Oct low C = 18.7

| Nov low C = 19.1

| Dec low C = 18.7

| year low C = 10.6

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 262

| Feb precipitation mm = 202

| Mar precipitation mm = 132

| Apr precipitation mm = 26

| May precipitation mm = 5

| Jun precipitation mm = 1

| Jul precipitation mm = 1

| Aug precipitation mm = 1

| Sep precipitation mm = 2

| Oct precipitation mm = 12

| Nov precipitation mm = 72

| Dec precipitation mm = 219

| year precipitation mm = 935

| source 1 ={{cite web|title=Weather statistics for Eastern (Zambia)|url=http://www.yr.no/place/Zambia/Eastern/Chipata/statistics.html|year=2007|access-date=20 October 2016|publisher=Norwegian Meteorological Institute and Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation|location=Norway|archive-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021004729/http://www.yr.no/place/Zambia/Eastern/Chipata/statistics.html|url-status=dead}}

| date = October 2016

| source 2 = [https://de.climate-data.org/afrika/sambia/ostprovinz/katete-925111/ Clima Data.org - Clima Data for Katete from 1991 to 2021]

}}

{{Historical populations

|align = right

|1964|480000

|1969|510000

|1980|911552

|1990|953506

|2000|1306173

|2010|1592661

|2022|2462685

| footnote = Sources:

• 1964–69:{{cite report|title=Census of population and housing, 1969|publisher=Central Statistical Office, Republic of Zambia|location=Lusaka|year=1970|ref=Census|url=http://www.zamstats.gov.zm/report/Census/2010/National/2010%20Census%20of%20Population%20National%20Analytical%20Report.pdf|pages=A6-7|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026014633/http://www.zamstats.gov.zm/report/Census/2010/National/2010%20Census%20of%20Population%20National%20Analytical%20Report.pdf|archive-date=2015-10-26}}
• 1980–2000:{{cite report|title=Summary report for the 2000 Census of population|publisher=Central Statistical Office, Republic of Zambia|location=Lusaka|year=2003|page=6|url=http://www.zamstats.gov.zm/about_us/abt_publications.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014033205/http://www.zamstats.gov.zm/about_us/abt_publications.htm|archive-date=2016-10-14}}
• 2010:

}}

As per the 2010 Zambian census, Eastern Province had a population of 1,592,661 accounting to 12.16 per cent of the total Zambian population of 13,092,666. There were 784,680 males and 807,981 females, making the sex ratio to 1,030 for every 1,000 males, compared to the national average of 1,028.Census 2012, p. 7 The literacy rate stood at 54.40 per cent against a national average of 70.2 per cent. The rural population constituted 87.42 per cent, while the urban population was 12.58 per cent. The total area of the province was 51,476 km² and the population density was 30.90 per km². The population density during 2000 Zambian census stood at 17.8.Census 2012, p. 9 The decadal population growth of the province was 2.60 per cent. The province recorded the highest rural population of 1,392,338 in 2010 among all provinces in the country. The lowest median age of 20.1 years was recorded in the province as of 2010.Census 2012, p. 18 The median age in the province at the time of marriage was 20.1.Census 2012, pp. 12–13 The average household size was 5.2, with the families headed by females being 4.3 and 5.5 for families headed by men.Census 2012, p. 19 The total eligible voters in the province constituted 60.30 per cent.Census 2012, p. 21 The unemployment rate of the province was 8.80 per cent. The total fertility rate was 6.6, complete birth rate was 6.3, crude birth rate was 38.0, child women population at birth was 819, general fertility rate was 168, gross reproduction rate was 2.6 and net reproduction rate was 1.8.Census 2012, p. 44 The total labour force constituted 58.70 per cent of the total population. Out of the labour force 67.4 per cent were men and 50.7 per cent were women. The annual growth rate of labour force was 1.8 per cent.Census 2012, p. 93 Nyanja was the most spoken language with more than 70.00 per cent speaking it.Census 2012, p. 99 The total population in the province with the condition Albinism stood at 3,225.Census 2012, p. 78 The life expectancy at birth stood at 46 compared to the national average of 51.Census 2012, p. 74

{{details|Wildlife of Zambia#Eastern Province}}

File:Luangwa River crossing.jpg |thumb]]

The Luangwa Valley in Eastern Province has one of the best managed wild life areas in Zambia.Mwakikagile 2009, p. 64 South Luangwa National Park (although most of it lies outside the province, its management and the only public road access is from the province), North Luangwa National Park in Northern Province, Luambe National Park and Lukusuzi National Park are the major national parks in Eastern province. Game management areas cover most of the Luangwa Valley outside the national parks, and many animals migrate through the Province between the valley and game reserves in the highlands of neighbouring Malawi.{{cite web|title= Areas in Zambia|url=http://www.zambiatourism.com/map|year=2011|access-date=19 October 2016|publisher=Zambia Tourism Board}}

The Kulamba ceremony is the largest traditional ceremony in Zambia and is celebrated in Katete District by the Chewa tribe during August, the Nc'wala festival is celebrated in Chipata District by the Ngoni tribe during February, Kulonga festival celebrated in Lundazi District by Tumbuka tribe during August, Malaila festival celebrated in Mambwe District by Kunda tribe during August, Zengani festival celebrated in Lundazi District by Tumbuka tribe during October, Tuwimba festival celebrated in Petauke District by Nsenga tribe during October are the major festivals in the province.{{cite web|title=Traditional Ceremonies|url=http://www.mota.gov.zm/index.php/traditional-ceremonies|year=2011|access-date=20 October 2016|publisher=Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Republic of Zambia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701075940/http://www.mota.gov.zm/index.php/traditional-ceremonies|archive-date=1 July 2016|url-status=dead}} The Kulamba ceremony originated during the 15th century.Kalusa, Mtonga, p. 98{{cite news|title=Lungu expected to grace the Kulamba ceremony of the Chewa people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/08/26/lungu-expected-to-grace-the-kulamba-ceremony-of-the-chewa-people-of-zambia-malawi-and-mozambique/|access-date=19 October 2016|date=26 August 2016|publisher=Lusaka Times}} N'cwala is the annual gathering of the Ngoni tribe and is also dubbed as first fruits ceremony. It is held during the last week of February to the first week of March for three days. The members of the tribe and onlookers attend the event in thousands and arrive at Mutenguleni villages near the city of Chipata.Kalusa, Mtonga, p. 40{{cite book|title=Culture and Customs of Zambia|url=https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00tayl|url-access=registration|quote=eastern province zambia.|page=[https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00tayl/page/115 115]|first=Scott D. |last=Taylor|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2006|isbn=978-0-313-33246-3}}

Provincial administration in Zambia is set up purely for administrative purposes. The province is headed by a minister appointed by the President and there are ministries of the central government for each province. The administrative head of the province is the Permanent Secretary, appointed by the President. There are a Deputy Permanent Secretary, heads of government departments and civil servants at the provincial level. Eastern Province is divided into fifteen districts as follows: Chadiza District, Chama District, Chasefu District, Chipangali District, Chipata District, Kasenengwa District, Katete District, Lumezi District, Lundazi District, Lusangazi District, Mambwe District, Nyimba District, Petauke District, Sinda District and Vubwi District. All the district headquarters are the same as the district names. There are fourteen councils in the province, each headed by an elected representative, called councillor. Each councillor holds the office for three years.{{cite report|title=Zambi Public administration Country profile|url=http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan023293.pdf|page=7|publisher=Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations|year=2004|access-date=16 October 2016|date=|archive-date=4 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104144116/http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan023293.pdf|url-status=dead}}

The administrative staff of the council is selected based on Local Government Service Commission from within or outside the district. The office of the provincial government is located in each of the district headquarters and has provincial local government officers and auditors. Each council is responsible for raising and collecting local taxes, and the budgets of the council are audited and submitted every year after the annual budget. The elected members of the council do not draw salaries, but are paid allowances from the council. Eastern Province is a predominantly rural area and hence there are no city or municipal councils. The government stipulates 63 different functions for the councils with the majority of them being infrastructure management and local administration.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Councils are mandated to maintain each of their community centres, zoos, local parks, drainage system, playgrounds, cemeteries, caravan sites, libraries, museums and art galleries. They also work along with specific government departments for helping in agriculture, conservation of natural resources, postal service, establishing and maintaining hospitals, schools and colleges. The councils prepare schemes that encourage community participation.{{cite report|title=The local government system in Zambia|url=http://www.clgf.org.uk/default/assets/File/Country_profiles/Zambia.pdf|publisher=Common Wealth Local Government Forum|pages=218–220|access-date=16 October 2016}} Chama District from the province was aligned to the newly created Muchinga Province in 2011 but re-aligned back to the province in 2021 when President Hakainde Hichilema took office.{{Cite web |title=Zambia : President Hichilema to give back Chirundu and Itezhi Districts to Southern Province |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/11/18/president-hichilema-to-give-back-chirundu-and-itezhi-districts-to-southern-province/ |access-date=2021-11-18 |language=en-GB}}

As of 2004, the province had 861 basic schools, 41 high schools and the number of school children out of school in ages between 7 and 15 stood at 861. The unemployment rate was 6 per cent and the general unemployment rate for youth stood at 12 per cent as of 2008. The province had 36 doctors as of 2005. There were 447 Malaria incidence for every 1,000 people in the province as of 2005 and there were 9,338 AIDS death as of 2010.{{cite web|title=Atlas Home|url=http://zambia.opendataforafrica.org/apps/atlas/eastern|year=2011|access-date=16 October 2016|publisher=Zambia data portal, Central statistical Office of Zambia}} As of 2010, the province had the lowest literacy rate of 54.4 per cent among all provinces in the country.Census 2012, p. 24

The total area of crops planted during the year 2014 in the province was 387,273.09 hectares which constituted 20.41 per cent of the total area cultivated in Zambia. The net production stood at 799,026 metric tonnes, which formed 19.61 per cent of the total agricultural production in the country. Sunflower was the major crop in the province with 24,053 metric tonnes, constituting 70.20 per cent of the national output.{{cite web|title=Agriculture statistics of Zambia 2014|url=http://zambia.opendataforafrica.org/ZMAGRISTAT2016/agriculture-statistics-of-zambia-2014|publisher=Central Statistical Office of Zambia|year=2016|access-date=17 October 2016}}

Chipata Airport and Mfuwe Airport are the two airports in the province.{{cite web|publisher=The Great Circle Mapper|title=Airports in Zamiba |url=http://www.gcmap.com/search?Q=country:ZM|year=2012|access-date=18 October 2016}}{{cite web|title=Code for Trade and Transport Locations|url=http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/cefact/locode/zm.htm|publisher = United Nations|year=2012|access-date=18 October 2016}}

• Bibliography of the history of Zambia

{{Reflist|20em}}

• {{cite report|title=Summary report for the 2010 Census of population|publisher=Central Statistical Office, Republic of Zambia|location=Lusaka|year=2012|ref=Census|url=http://www.zamstats.gov.zm/report/Census/2010/National/2010%20Census%20of%20Population%20National%20Analytical%20Report.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026014633/http://www.zamstats.gov.zm/report/Census/2010/National/2010%20Census%20of%20Population%20National%20Analytical%20Report.pdf|archive-date=2015-10-26}}
• {{cite book|title=Zambia: Life in an African Country|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DFVS4IixY5oC&q=zambia+provinces|last=Mwakikagile|first=Godfrey|publisher=New Africa Press|year=2010|isbn=978-9987-16-011-2|ref=Mwakikagile}}
• {{cite book|title=Kalonga Gawa Undi X: A Biography of an African Chief and Nationalist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cDMp_rdE_d8C&q=eastern+province+zambia+history|first1=Walima Tuesday |last1=Kalusa|first2= Mapopa|last2= Mtonga|ref=Kalusa|publisher=African Books Collective|year=2010|isbn=978-9982-9972-5-6}}

{{Districts of Zambia}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|13|00|S|32|15|E|region:ZM_type:adm1st|display=title}}

Category:Provinces of Zambia