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| Edward Minyoyi |
VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA -- Zambia
is a country of vibrant African traditions, a land made famous by legendary
explorer Sir David Livingstone, the home of iconic Victoria Falls, the mighty
Zambezi River and vast national parks thriving with wildlife.
Bringing to life these
cultural and natural treasures, Edward
Minyoyi is much more than the Guest Relations Officer at the Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia
Hotel By Anantara. Regaling his insider local knowledge and personal tales,
Edward plunges guests into the colours, customs and majesty of Zambia through
the age-old art of storytelling.
In a country where tribal stories and
traditional practices are passed down from one generation to another,
storytelling is an intrinsic part of Zambian daily life, and Edward is a proud
narrator.
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| Victoria Falls |
He joined the hotel team
in 2001 as a barman. Renowned for his friendly interaction with guests and
entertaining local tales, in 2007 he was appointed Guest Relations Officer, and
also the hotel’s Storyteller.
A well-loved team member
amongst guests, Edward speaks French,
Spanish, Russian, Greek, German, Japanese and Afrikaans, and he loves
nothing better than meeting world travellers and drawing them into the rich
details of his homeland.
Instantly recognisable by
his bright traditional attire, theatrical personality and beaming smile, Edward
is a member of the Lozi tribe and can be found smartly dressed in his tribe’s
ceremonial Siziba costume of a white shirt, skirt, long stockings and red
beret.
Exemplifying the warm hearted, friendly spirit
of the Zambian people, Edward describes, “We live a peaceful, harmonious life,
all working together within our communities, and I love to explain how our way
of life continues to thrive.
For instance when it comes
to a wedding, the families of the bride and groom all sit down together and
discuss issues relating to their children and respective families, to ensure a
prosperous marriage and to live as one big happy family.”
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Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls
Zambia Hotel By Anantara. |
“I love my job because I’m
a jovial person and really enjoy interacting with people from all walks of
life”, enthuses Edward. “Zambia has such a rich history, a diverse tribal
heritage and many natural wonders that locals have their own stories about.
It’s my pleasure to take guests on a storytelling journey at a hotel where they
can see, taste and feel it all for themselves.”
At the only hotel that
directly overlooks Victoria Falls, the Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara
offers an incomparable setting to learn about this Natural World Wonder. Known
to locals as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” – “The Smoke that Thunders”, this iconic waterfall
is awash with myth and legend.
“The Toka-leya people who
once resided here worshipped the River Goddess Nyami-nyami living under the
falls in times of drought, to pray for heavy rains,” explains Edward. “And my
guests’ eyes light up as they hear about the travelling Scotsman, David
Livingstone, who arrived in Africa in 1840 as a missionary and physician to
become the most famous explorer of the century.
“He was the first European
to witness the waterfall and renamed it after his British Queen, Victoria. His
escapades feel even more exciting in the resort’s Royal Livingstone Lounge,
sipping drinks and swapping stories surrounded by his paintings, books and
maps.”
The adventures continue up
and close and personal with zebras, impalas, giraffes and monkeys meandering
freely about the resort grounds. Inspiring guests with safari and hunting
tales, Edward raves about Zambia’s wildlife. “We have 19 national parks and I
have many memories about the animals I’ve encountered, from rhinos, elephants,
hippos, wilder beast and warthogs, to the incredible number of birds.
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| Zebras in Zambia |
“For those who prefer more
peaceful viewing, guests can relax on platforms on the bank of the Zambezi to
drink in the sights and sounds of river life, with me as their narrator.
"As a
keen fisherman, I can pass on my knowledge to anglers, like how it’s easier to
catch fish during hot season because they come to the surface, the best spots
to test their skills against the tiger fish, and how we cook the prize catches
for our families.”
For food enthusiasts,
Edward dishes up a plethora of fascinating facts about Zambian cuisine. “Guests
can tour the resort’s garden for an introduction to the aromas, flavours and
medicinal benefits of different herbs, which are also used to treat sickness,
such as a herbal steam to cool and relax the body. The stories they hear then
come to life as they try traditional Zambian dishes, or head off to the spa to
discover local wellness secrets.”
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern
travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through
personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most
exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury
hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating
new territory, curating personal travel experiences.
From cosmopolitan cities
to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the
indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate
expertise.
The portfolio currently
boasts over 35 stunning properties located in Thailand, the Maldives,
Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE,
Qatar and Oman, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian
Ocean, Middle East and Africa.
For more information on
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, please visit www.anantara.com.
Twitter and Instagram: @anantara_hotels
For a complete copy of the company’s news release,
please contact:
Hwee Peng Yeo
Vice President
Glodow Nead Communications
San Francisco • New York •
Singapore • Shanghai
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Tower, 3 Temasek Avenue • Singapore 039190
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Avenue, 222 Hubin Road, Shanghai China, 200021
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Suite 203 • San Francisco, CA • 94111
