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The Luchazi Tribes
The Luchazi are native to Angola.However, they have been in a state of flux for many years. Problems with the Portuguese during colonial times led to movement of Luchazis across the borders into Zambia and Southwest Africa (now Namibia). Later, during the civil war that engulfed Angola, many more followed. Even when the border between Angola and Namibia is officially closed, many crossed illegally because of the lack of food, clothing, and medical care in southern Angola. In the 1900s, financial conditions were difficult in Zambia and many joined family members in Namibia.

The Luchazi are a Bantu people, with cultural and linguistic similarities to other Bantu peoples. They are also called Ngangela or Nganguela by some other peoples in the region. The Luchazi share history and heritage with other people in the region: Chokwe, Lunda, Luvale (Lwena) and Mbunda. The line of hereditary chiefs of all these peoples derive from a common ancestry.

The Luchazi group themselves in a circular living area called a kuimbo. In older times, the houses were built in the traditional circular style of Southern Africa, though now they favor a square or rectangular house.Tidbits about the history of the Luchazi are sometimes found in information about the Chokwe, Lunda or Luvale. One source says, "Luchazi peoples are closely related to Chokwe, and their history is interconnected with both Chokwe and Lunda political movements, which have historically dominated the region. Between 1600 and 1850 they were under considerable influence from the Lunda states and were centrally located in Angola." The Luchazi speak a southwestern Bantu language in the Ngangela group. Related languages are: Mbunda, Kangala, Tauma, Mbuela, Nyemba, Ngangela, Ngonzelo and Luembe. The Ethnologue reports that in Angola the Luchazi language is spoken in the Southeast Region and adjacent areas.

Their movements in recent years have caused many changes, especially linguistic changes. Some of the Luchazi have lost their language. In Zambia, many have begun to speak Luvale instead of Luchazi. Luvale is the speech of a closely-related peple by that name. Luvale is one of the official languages of Zambia.

In Namibia, some moved to Gcrico-speaking areas and have forgotten Luchazi. Those who speak Luchazi in Namibia speak a hybrid form with vocabulary from Afrikaans, Portuguese and English and other Bantu languages, such as Kwangali and Chokwe. Within a kuimbo lives a family group of between 20 and 40 people, under the leadership of one man who is father or grandfather to the majority of those who live there. In addition, a number of nephews might have attached themselves to a particular uncle. This leader of the family has many responsibilities to his extended family. For example, he would be the one to pass along important information that affects the entire family. The chief is known as Mwene,In the past the mwene position was matrilinealy hereditary in principle. The mwene was chosen from a particular family. The Luchazi are primarily agricultural though some families are honey-gatherers, fishermen and hunters.

In the past, a man of 30 would marry a girl of 14-15, who was either a cousin or a niece. Intermarriage with other tribes was prohibited. Young people today marry at 19 or 20, though the girl can be as young as 15. Young people may marry from any tribe or race, though in the countryside the older practices are maintained. Typically a young man talks to his father and mother about the girl that interests him. The mother then talks with the mother of the girl to arrange the bride-price. If the woman has never been married and has no children, the family would expect to receive 2 cows as the bride-price. A woman who has a child would be worth only 1 cow while a woman who has more than one child would be worth only 1/2 of a cow.

This is how the Luchazi tribe have been living ever since.