Celebrations
Eclipse entertainment
As the moon covered more and more of the sun, we were entertained by an excellent band of singers, dancers and drummers.
Meanwhile, the inexorable progression of the sun continued.
Chisamba, Zambia. 21 June 2001.
After the eclipse
On 21 June 2001 I observed a total eclipse of the sun from a camp near Chisamba, north of Lusaka in Zambia.
I was at a camp of about 200 people, mostly Americans or British. After the eclipse, there was much celebrating and endless re-telling of the experience we had just shared.
In the hour or so before totality a group of Zambians provided spectacular entertainment to these mad westerners who had traveled so far to see an event that would last for only 3 and a half minutes.
The Zambian singers, dancers and drummers continued their entertainment well after the eclipse had ended. These guys added so much to the excitement of the day. They were skilled, energetic and enthusiastic performers.
Chisamba, Zambia. 21 June 2001.
Post-eclipse celebrating
Dancing to the music of the Zambian band.
Celebrating after the eclipse.
Chisamba, Zambia. 21 June 2001.
Drinking partners
While there was great revelry immediately after the solar eclipse, most people had gone off to bed by about 9pm. A once-in-a-lifetime event, and they’ve disappeared to bed!
Barry, the Librarian (whose name I never got!) and I were the last ones standing on the night of the eclipse.
The youngsters staffing the bar finally threw us out, but I’m proud that I was one of the three last revellers.
Chisamba, Zambia. 21 June 2001.