Chalo Chatu:Contributor Handbook
Internal Reference Manual for Approved Contributors
Welcome to the Chalo Chatu contributor team. This handbook is your guide to writing, sourcing, and documenting Zambia’s history and present for the national archive.
Our Mission
Chalo Chatu is an encyclopedia preserving the History and Pride of Zambia. As a contributor, you are part of a professional, vetted team that documents verified information for current and future generations.
How Chalo Chatu Differs
Unlike open wikis, Chalo Chatu:
- Is not editable by the general public
- Uses oral history and community knowledge as legitimate sources
- Has a strict review and approval process before publishing
- Accepts current event documentation and social media announcements from verified government channels
Writing Style and Format
- Use an encyclopedic tone (neutral, factual, formal)
- Write in British English spelling (e.g. “organisation”, not “organization”)
- Use date format: 12 March 2024
- Lead section should summarise the topic in 1–2 paragraphs
- Use section headings (== Background ==, == Impact ==, etc.)
- Include a references section with citations
- Add
Note: This article is supported by published, traceable sources.
,
Note: This article is based on oral tradition, interviews, and community memory. It has been reviewed according to Chalo Chatu's oral history guidelines.
, or
Notice: This article covers an ongoing or developing event. Information may change as updates are made. It may not yet reflect the most current developments.
tag as applicable
What You Can Write About
Your article must be relevant to Zambia and fall into one of these categories:
- Notable people
- Events (historic or current)
- Places (districts, towns, schools, compounds)
- Culture (traditions, languages, festivals)
- Institutions (ministries, churches, NGOs)
- Conflicts, disasters, strikes, or riots
- Government announcements or policy changes
Source Guidelines
- Always cite your sources
- Acceptable sources:
* Newspapers (Daily Mail, Times of Zambia, etc.) * Government websites and press releases * Academic papers, books * Verified government social media (Facebook/X pages with blue ticks or official seals) * Interviews and oral history (clearly documented)
- Tag articles with
Note: This article is based on oral tradition, interviews, and community memory. It has been reviewed according to Chalo Chatu's oral history guidelines.
or
Notice: This article covers an ongoing or developing event. Information may change as updates are made. It may not yet reflect the most current developments.
when required
Uploading and Formatting
- Use infoboxes for people, schools, or organisations (see Template:Infobox person, Template:Infobox school)
- Add categories at the bottom (e.g. , )
- Upload images only if they are:
- Your original work
- Public domain or Creative Commons
- Properly credited and licensed
Review Process
Your work is not published immediately. It goes through:
- Internal review by a senior editor
- Verification by the Review Board
- Approval or feedback for improvement
Field Work and Oral History Collection
- If assigned to collect oral history, use a notebook, audio recorder, or phone
- Log who, where, and when the information was collected
- If using quotes, write them exactly or provide audio transcription
- Submit oral history to the Board for validation before publishing
Do Not Do These Things
- Don’t write personal opinions
- Don’t copy-paste without citation
- Don’t upload commercial/promotional material
- Don’t edit articles without approval
- Don’t write about yourself or your organisation unless instructed
Contributor Conduct
- Respect the confidentiality of unpublished content
- Work ethically and respectfully in communities
- Follow all editorial policies and instructions
- Violations may result in suspension or permanent removal
Support Channels
- For clarification or support, contact your supervisor or assigned editor
- Urgent help: Chalo Chatu:Editorial Support Line
This handbook is issued to all verified contributors only. Do not share externally.
