The Nchelewa: Uncovering the truth behind the BaTonga’s sacred smoking tradition

Ibin Munsaka

The Nchelewa, a traditional smoking pipe used by the BaTonga people of the Zambezi Valley, has long been shrouded in misinformation. As a cultural artifact with deep roots in the region, it is important to provide an accurate understanding of the unique smoking implement.

An interview with Christopher Tshuma, the Heritage Education Officer for Binga baTonga Museum was carried out to better understand how the BaTonga people used the smoking pipe, known as Nchelewa in the Tonga language. Overtime, there has been continued belief that the smoking pipe was used to smoke dagga, which has been established to not be the case.

Tshuma highlighted that the Nchelewa was designed for smoking the BaTonga’s own local tobacco variety, known as Nicotiana or “Tombwe.” This tobacco was carefully cultivated along the riverbanks and processed through a multi-step drying and compressing method to produce the distinctive pyramid-shaped tobacco plugs. The pipe itself consisted of various styles, such as the Chitete and Musanga, which were often made from clay.

The Nchelewa was not limited to tobacco alone. The BaTonga would sometimes supplement the tobacco with sorghum or millet, which helped the material burn more quickly and evenly in the pipe. This versatility allowed for a range of smoking experiences.

“Additionally, the ‘bubble pipe’ variant, featuring a clay bowl, long narrow neck, and water-filled gourd, was specifically associated with women’s use. This design helped to cool and filter the smoke, catering to preferences within the BaTonga community,” Mr. Tshuma said.

Jane Mwinde, another Binga villager, stressed that much misinformation persists regarding the health impacts of tobacco use with the Nchelewa. Mwinde warned that claims that “it doesn’t matter whether you quit or not” or that “smokers with mental health conditions can’t quit” for whatever reason, are simply unfounded, further advising that there is need to rely upon established scientific consensus that quitting smoking can improve both physical and mental wellbeing, despite the challenges involved.

Similarly, the notion that “quitting will make me gain weight” was recounted as an oversimplification. While weight gain is a common side effect of quitting, it can be managed through healthy lifestyle changes and is ultimately a better outcome than continued tobacco use.

The Nchelewa smoking pipe holds an important place in BaTonga cultural heritage. Ensuring that various communities understand the authentic history of the Nchelewa and dispelling the myths surrounding its use, can not only honor the rich cultural tradition but also ensure that the people’s understanding is rooted in accurate, evidence-based information about the health impacts of tobacco consumption. This approach allows for the respect the heritage of the BaTonga people while promoting informed decisions about health and well-being.