ABASHIMBA
THE RETURN OF LIONS TO NSUMBU

Documentary film (Release 2025)

"Can one species help restore a landscape — and a culture?"

On the shores of the world-famous Lake Tanganyika in northern Zambia, lies Nsumbu: a recovering national park; a refuge for wildlife; and a bastion of ecological stability for the region. The surrounding area is also the cultural wellspring of the Tabwa people, whose Royal Family identifies as the “Clan of the Lions” — or, "Abashimba". But lions – Africa’s apex predator, and the Abashimba symbol – are missing from the landscape. A local conservation organisation, the Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme, spearheads the reintroduction. It is ecologically essential to return lions to Nsumbu, but their task is substantial. What does it take to return lions to Nsumbu and help restore an ecosystem? Will the local community truly welcome Africa’s top predator back into their homeland? Can the return of a species restore cultural ties to a landscape? Abashimba goes behind the scenes to explore the inextricable link between people and landscapes. It explores the complexities involved in implementing conservation across large complex landscapes, and examines what role cultural heritage can play in the restoration and preservation of biodiversity.