Curious about “One Zambia One Nation” Meals? Meet our 8 fantastic Jiranileo hosts in Livingstone

We asked our hosts! They said that Livingstone is a “peaceful and friendly town” where you can “experience and appreciate nature to its fullest,” “view the Victoria Falls,” and “enjoy outdoor activities” like “adventure, adrenalin, water, and wildlife.”

Our hosts also highlighted that Livingstone is a hub for Zambian culture. “There are all the tribes here”, “people dance and sing for visitors,” and there are “two villages that people can visit to experience village life.”

A visit to Livingstone also gives visitors a feel of the warm hospitality of Zambians. As one of our hosts said: “When people say Zambia is very welcoming, they are talking about Livingstone.”

Scroll down to meet our wonderful Jiranileo hosts in Livingstone who invite you for a home-cooked meal. Join one of our One Zambia One Nation meals today!

Nancy is proudly born and bred in Livingstone. She lives with her daughter and her niece.

Tribal background: Lozi (a tribe with the rich cultural heritage of the Kuomboka ceremony)

One interesting thing about me: I had a beautiful memorable time at the UNWTO between Zambia and Zimbabwe in 2013. I was part of the organization team in Livingstone. I’ve also enjoyed participating in cooking for exhibitions and events.

Favorite Zambian food(s): I love roasted chicken accompanied with seasonal greens in peanut butter. I also enjoy seasonal fruits for my sweet course.

If you could have one guest from anywhere in the world at your Jiranileo table, who would it be? Honorable Rodney Sikumba, the current Livingstone Member of Parliament and Minister of Tourism and Arts.

Luwi is a recent university graduate in aeronautical engineering. She grew up in Livingstone and still lives in her childhood home with her mother, brother and cousins.

Tribal background: Lunda.

One interesting thing about me: I love to help women with advertising and promoting traditional Zambian foods, and I encourage people to eat more traditional foods.

Favorite Zambian food(s): Nshima made from cassava, with dry mushrooms with groundnuts, and fish.

If you could have one guest from anywhere in the world at your Jiranileo table, who would it be? Former U.S. President Obama and his family. (We both agreed they seem really friendly.)

Christine is originally from Kasama (Northern Province), and she has lived in Livingstone since 1982. She is widowed and lives with her grandchildren.

Tribal background: Northern Zambian tribes (Bemba)

One interesting thing about me: I am a Bana Chimbusa (a traditional elder who provides counselling to women before they marry.)

Favorite Zambian food(s): Ifisashi (vegetables cooked with groundnut flour)

If you could have one guest from anywhere in the world at your Jiranileo table, who would it be? Anyone!

Florence grew up in Kasama (Northern Province), and she also stayed in Luapula Province before coming to Livingstone. She stays with her sister.

Tribal background: Bemba

One interesting thing about me: I love singing. I sing in the church choir. I also love cooking because my mother made sure all her daughters learned cooking.

Favorite Zambian food(s): Pumpkin leaves with groundnuts, with dried fish and nshima made of maize / cassava mix. For breakfast I love pumpkins and cassava with groundnuts.

If you could have one guest from anywhere in the world at your Jiranileo table, who would it be? I would love to host my best friend who is in Kasama. My celebrity guest would be Gabrielle Union.

Novice grew up in Kalomo District (Southern Province), the daughter of a teacher, and she completed teacher training herself. She stays in Livingstone with her husband and three of her five children.

Tribal background: Tonga.

One interesting thing about me: I’m a gospel singer.

Favorite Zambian food(s): Nshima with vegetables. I like vegetables much more than meat. There is a vegetable called “Five Years,” which has stems that you eat, and I also like cucumbers and lusala (a highly iron-rich root known as “the meat of the Tonga.”)

If you could have one guest from anywhere in the world at your Jiranileo table, who would it be? Novice wasn’t sure, so we asked her children, who unanimously answered: Omah Lay (a Nigerian singer), and then adorably sang along to one of his songs. (Seems like they have inherited some singing skills from their mom!)

Annie grew up in Mufulira (Copperbelt Province) and currently stays in Livingstone with her husband and one son.

Tribal background: Namwanga (from the Zambia/Tanzania border)

One interesting thing about me: I love my small business of tailoring.

Favorite Zambian food(s): Nshima with katapa (cassava leaves).

If you could have one guest from anywhere in the world at your Jiranileo table, who would it be? U.S. President Joe Biden. (We both agreed that he seems like a really nice person.)

Gladys grew up in Mufulira (Copperbelt Province) and currently stays in Livingstone with her husband and three children.

Tribal background: Bemba

One interesting thing about me: I sell traditional food like munkoyo (a traditional non-alcoholic drink), chikanda (a traditional snack), and vitimbuwa (fritters / fried dough).

Favorite Zambian food(s): Tute ne mbalala (cassava and groundnuts)

If you could have one guest from anywhere in the world at your Jiranileo table, who would it be? Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu.

The first thing you need to know about Meya is that she has an infectious laugh that makes you immediately like her. The second thing is that she will tell you, “Call me Big Mboya,” and then you feel special to already be on a nickname basis. She grew up in Kabwe (Central Province), and now stays in Livingstone with her husband and three grandchildren.

Tribal background: Ngoni.

One interesting thing about me: I like meeting people (as she let out a huge laugh), and I love cooking for people.

Favorite Zambian food(s): All the traditional vegetables. (She can’t choose one!)

If you could have one guest from anywhere in the world at your Jiranileo table, who would it be? Meya consulted her teen granddaughter for this answer: Ayra Starr, a Nigerian singer.