Kaoma is a town in

Zambia Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bor ...

. It is the headquarters of Kaoma District in the

Western Province Western Province or West Province may refer to: *Western Province, Cameroon *Western Province, Rwanda *Western Province (Kenya) *Western Province (Papua New Guinea) *Western Province (Solomon Islands) *Western Province, Sri Lanka *Western Provinc ...

and is located on the M9 Road.

History

Kaoma has previously been known by other names including: ''Nkoya'', ''Mankoya'', ''Mankoye'', ''Nankoya'', ''Nunkoya''. The official name of the town was changed to Kaoma in 1964. The name Nkoya came from the first

n ethnic group to settle in the area around the 6th century. The Nkoya people can be found in Kaoma and the surrounding areas such as

Mumbwa Mumbwa is a town in the Central Province of Zambia, lying on the M9 Road. Its district covers the western part of the Central Province bordering Kaoma and Western Province to the west, Namwala and Southern Province to the south, Lusaka and Lu ...

, Mulobezi,

Kazungula Kazungula is a small border town in Zambia, lying on the north bank of the Zambezi River about west of Livingstone on the M10 Road. At Kazungula, the territories of four countries (Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia) come close to mee ...

, Mungulula (

Mongu Mongu is the capital of Western Province in Zambia and was the capital of the formerly-named province and historic state of Barotseland. Its population is 179,585 (2010 census), and it is also the headquarters of Mongu District. Mongu is the ho ...

Kalabo Kalabo is an urban centre and the seat of Kalabo District, in the Western Province of Zambia. Geography Location The town is located on the plains west of the Zambezi River and the Barotse Floodplain, and approximately , by road east of the ...

, Lukulu amongst other districts. The Nkoya people celebrate an annual traditional ceremony called the Kazanga Ceremony, which is held between April and August in Kaoma District, under Chief Mwene Mutondo and Chief Kahare of the Nkoya people.

Population

In 2006, the population of Kaoma was estimated at 14,200. Kaoma is now divided into three districts namely Kaoma,

Nkeyema Nkeyema is a constituency of the National Assembly of Zambia. It was created in 2016. It covers Nkeyema District in Western Province Western Province or West Province may refer to: *Western Province, Cameroon *Western Province, Rwanda *Western ...

and Luampa.

Geography

Location

Kaoma is located approximately , by road, west of

Lusaka Lusaka ( ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Zambia. It is one of the fastest-developing cities in southern Africa. Lusaka is in the southern part of the central plateau at an elevation of about . , the city's population was abo ...

, the capital of Zambia and its largest city. At Kaoma, the Lusaka-Mongu Road (M9), meets the Kaoma-Kasempa Road (D301). This location lies west of

Kafue National Park Kafue National Park is the largest national park in Zambia, covering an area of about 22,400 km2 (similar in size to Wales or Massachusetts). It is the second largest national park in Africa and is home to 152 different species of mammals. ...

. The coordinates of the town are: 14 48 00S, 24 48 00E (Latitude: -14.8000; Longitude: 24.8000).

Climate

Kaoma has a

humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...

(

Köppen Köppen is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Bernd Köppen (1951–2014), German pianist and composer * Carl Köppen (1833-1907), German military advisor in Meiji era Japan * Edlef Köppen (1893–1939), German author ...

: ''Cwa'') characterized by warm to hot temperatures and clear wet and dry seasons. October and November are the hottest months, while June and July are the coolest months, having cool nights. The wet season, from November to March, experiences significant rainfall, while the dry season, from May to October, is marked by reduced precipitation.

Landmarks

The landmarks within the town of Kaoma or close to its borders include the following: * The headquarters of Kaoma District Administration * The offices of Kaoma Town Council * A branch of Finance Bank Zambia Limited (FBZ) * Kaoma Airport - A public, civilian airport, with one

runway In aviation, a runway is an elongated, rectangular surface designed for the landing and takeoff of an aircraft. Runways may be a human-made surface (often asphalt concrete, asphalt, concrete, or a mixture of both) or a natural surface (sod, ...

. * Kaoma Farmers Market - The largest source of fresh produce in the town. * Kaoma District Hospital - A public 100-bed hospital. * Kaoma Cheshire Orphanage - An orphanage administered by the Irish charity, Touch Ireland. The orphanage takes care of an estimated 70

AIDS The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...

orphans, from birth to 4 years of age. * Murals by Kozhi Kawina - This local artist has painted the murals on the walls of the district hospital, the doctors' residences and the Cheshire orphanage. * The Kaoma Women's Center, located off Freedom Road near the main junction. The Women's Center provides high school and college scholarships, as well as vocational training and education for local women. It is a joint enterprise between the Kaoma WISE Trust and the American non-profit organization, Women's Initiatives that Strengthen and Empower. * Maranatha Grassroots Institute is located in Mulammatila area on plot number 1637 Kahare Street. It is one of the most vibrant local NGO in Kaoma. The institute offers vocational skills training to youths. It also has a community library and is involved in various community services. The moral education department runs a music ministry called the Shalom Music Ministry.

New district hospital

A new district hospital is under construction to replace the old buildings of the old hospital, which was constructed in the 1950s. Funding for the new hospital is through donations from overseas charitable organizations including: * Foundation Medical Committee Kaoma, an initiative by donors from the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

. * TOUCH Ireland, a charitable organization based in the

Republic of Ireland Ireland ( ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 Counties of Ireland, counties of the island of Ireland, with a population of about 5.4 million. ...

. - They will build the children's wing of the new hospital. * Orange Babies, another charity based in the Netherlands - They will construct the

women's wing A women's wing, sometimes also known as a women's group or women's branch, is an auxiliary or independent front or faction within a larger organization, typically a political party, that consists of that organization's female membership or acts to ...

of the new hospital. * The hospital is still seeking new donors to complete the project.

References

External links

Image of Downtown Kaoma
{{coord, 14, 48, 00, S, 24, 48, 00, E, region:ZM_type:city, display=title Populated places in Western Province, Zambia