MWINILUNGA, Zambia — Hundreds of members of the Baha'i Faith from the Lunda population gathered in the Northwestern Province of Zambia on 24 July to celebrate their history and deliberate on their contribution to the development of their people.

The conference brought together people of all ages in a discussion on how the teachings of the Baha'i Faith are being applied to the life of their society. They, in the light of the spiritual principles of the Baha'i Faith, examined various aspects of their culture, identifying those contributing to the advancement of their community and that should be carried forward and those which might need to be set aside.

Chief Ntambu, one of the traditional leaders in the area and a member of the Baha'i Faith, was among the participants. "We must manifest a new culture and develop a new identity founded upon principles animating our faith," he said to a stirred gathering of over 550 women and men, young and old.

In a spiritual and joyful atmosphere characterized by song and dance, the participants consulted on enhancing the foundations of family life, educating the young, especially girls, and on contributing more effectively to the spiritual and material wellbeing of society through a moral framework inspired by the Baha'i Faith.

"If we do not offer our children the best education possible and have an interest in their moral and academic advancement, then negative habits will be passed on to the generations," said an older gentleman at the 3-day conference.

"Parents must also educate themselves on the significance of marriage and have meaningful conversations with their children on the subject," remarked a young woman.

Through an exchange of ideas, the participants contributed to tracing the path of the progress of their people over the last five decades and clarified what steps they will now take together in their villages and towns which are in parts of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.