This big square box of a building resembling a Soviet-era Moscow ministry is not much more than a shell of a museum. The decade-long plan to renovate the upstairs galleries to include exhibitions on urban culture and Zambian history seems to be in a permanent state of suspension leaving a rather decrepit hodgepodge of cultural, ethnographic and archaeological artefacts. Some of the textual descriptions related to witchcraft and initiation ceremonies are interesting at least. Contemporary Zambian paintings and sculpture are displayed downstairs. There's a basic cafeteria on sight and access to the museum is off Independence Ave.
The Freedom Statue , just around the corner from the museum, is dedicated to freedom fighters and those who lost their lives in the struggle for Zambia’s independence. The depiction of a man breaking his chains symbolises the country’s break with colonial bondage and was erected to celebrate Zambia’s independence in 1964. It’s a popular place for celebrations on Africa Freedom Day (25 May).
