First transmitted in 1965, David Attenborough follows the River Zambezi from its source in the centre of Africa, 2,000 miles to the Indian Ocean.
First transmitted in 1965, David Attenborough follows the River Zambezi from its source in the centre of Africa 2,000 miles to the Indian Ocean.
At the start of his journey, Attenborough meets some of the people and animals that have made their home along the river in Zambia.
He is invited to witness the Kuomboka festival, featuring the Litunga, chief of the Lozi people of western Zambia, and his people. In the festival they migrate from Lealui to Limalunga, before Lealui is flooded by the Zambezi.
The spectacular ceremony consists of a fleet of barges, many containing the Lotunga’s possessions, making the journey up the river accompanied by heavy drumming of the royal Maoma drums.
Other highlights include David Attenborough joining the Litunga as he opens the court and presides over the inauguration ceremony.
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Dancing Cranes
Duration: 01:54
Sir David Attenborough - The Early Years
This programme is part of a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four Collection showcasing the early work of Sir David Attenborough.
More about this programme
David Attenborough wrote about the adventure of making Zambezi in the Radio Times: "It took us four months to trace the 2,000-mile length of the Zambezi. Sometimes, we walked along its banks; sometimes we sailed down it. Twice we flew. Most of the way we went by truck will all our stores and equipment on board. But all the time, our actions and our thoughts were governed by the great river beside us, and it is the river which dominates the three films we made about the journey."
About Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four Collection programmes
Programmes are selected, in part, for their historical context and reflect the broadcast standards and attitudes of their time, which may not accord to some current Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ editorial guidelines. We aim to select programmes which can be shown in their entirety but in some cases edits are required.
Broadcast
- Mon 9 Aug 1965 19:20
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Sir David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough's amazing programmes from the 1950s to the present day.
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David Attenborough - The Early Years
A collection of programmes showcasing the early work of Sir David Attenborough.
Something in the post from Sir David: 'Never before has the delivery of a letter caused such a stir'
Working with the legendary broadcaster on our Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four archive collection.
