User:Zedzeee/Ila people

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The Ila People of Zambia are part of the Bantu-speaking people that migrated to the south of Africa. The Ila come from the Southern Province of Zambia. More specifically, they come from the villages of Maala, as well as surrounding villages. In Maala one will find the Ila and Tonga speaking people. The Ila were never large in population. In 1900 their population was at 25,000. Their population was small enough in comparison to other tribes that the territory they had possession of was 250 miles long and 50 miles wide in Maala. Ila men were said to be tall with dressed hair that was adorned with four feet high cones. They never traveled without two or three, eight foot spears over their shoulder, and they loved their cattle. Cattle was the common dowry for a bride in the Ila tradition. The intended husband was to present a set number of cattle to the family of the bride-to-be. Upon presenting the cattle, they were given the woman as their wife. It was said that Ila men were torn between their love of their cattle and the love of women. They even went to the extent of sending their wives to neighboring villages to seduce other men into adulterous acts so in turn, the husband could sue the other man for his cattle. Women were and still are valued amongst the Ilas. They provided fathers with a chance to gain wealth. The more daughters, the wealthier a man was said to be. It also provided a father with pride when his daughter's hand was requested for marriage. The accumulation of cattle also provided a chance for more wealth to be attained and a higher status to be gained. The Ila were often times seen as war-like and turbulent people, but they were very musical people. They were great lovers of music. No occasion was complete without a song. They sang at Funerals, joyous occasions, games, and other ceremonies. There were songs for everything; to offer advice to a new bride, to entertain children, to rejoice a victory, or when lounging with friends and loved ones.