House of Chiefs Chairperson Advocates Indigenous Knowledge in Universities

Chairperson of the House of Chiefs, His Royal Highness Chief Choongo, has called for the integration of indigenous knowledge into Zambia’s higher education system to promote national development and preserve cultural identity.

‎Speaking during the Higher Education Indaba 2025 in Livingstone, Chief Choongo said Zambia’s traditional wisdom offers valuable lessons in governance, agriculture, medicine, and environmental management that can complement modern education. He noted that the House of Chiefs, which represents 286 chiefs and over 50,000 sub-chiefs and village headpersons, is ready to collaborate with government and academia to strengthen the link between cultural heritage and modern innovation.

‎Chief Choongo emphasized that universities should not only focus on academic qualifications but also on producing graduates who are problem solvers and innovators. He encouraged the establishment of centres for indigenous knowledge and cultural studies to serve as platforms for research, preservation, and collaboration between traditional leaders and scholars.

‎He further underscored the role of traditional leadership in promoting education and fostering inclusive development, saying chiefs are ready to work closely with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to encourage community participation and support rural research initiatives. Chief Choongo concluded by reminding delegates that Zambia’s greatest wealth lies in the creativity and intellect of its people, adding that harmonizing higher education with indigenous knowledge would build a nation that is proud of its identity and confident in its future.