Chikwakwa Theatre

Lusaka, Zambia

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June 24, 2026

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The Chikwakwa Theatre, established at the University of Zambia in 1971, was a significant open-air venue that symbolized the aspirations of new Zambian playwrights. It aimed to celebrate and critique the nation's post-independence identity, drawing on the cultural heritage of its people. This theatre not only produced work in English and Zambian languages but also toured the country.

Chikwakwa emerged as a response to the expatriate-dominated theatre scene prevalent before and immediately after Zambia's independence in 1964. It inspired other theatrical groups like Bazamai Theatre and Tikwiza Theatre. The plays often carried strong political messages, reflecting the era's focus on liberation and national development. Michael Etherton, a co-founder, played a key role in its establishment.12

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Zambia
The arts
…developed for nationalist ends; the Chikwakwa Theatre, based at the University of Zambia, pioneered politically radical popular drama in the early years of independence. In the 1980s, aid agencies and other bodies promoted “theatre for development,” often unscripted and in vernacular languages, and government departments have used drama to communicate…
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…developed for nationalist ends; the Chikwakwa Theatre, based at the University of Zambia, pioneered politically radical popular drama in the early years of independence. In the 1980s, aid agencies and other bodies promoted “theatre for development,” often unscripted and in vernacular languages, and government departments have used drama to communicate…
Read More