Greetings

Situational Greetings
So let's leave grammar and structure for a bit, and look at some common greetings. Zambian languages are interesting in that they have common greetings and responses, but almost any verb can be turned into a greeting. They're called situational greetings. Let's look at Bemba:

Mwabombeni.

This is the command form of ukubomba (to work) with an added personal prefix mu+a, which becomes mwa-. So instead of commanding someone to work, you are commenting on them working in a polite way; this is a form of greeting when you find someone working, or greet them after noon, presuming that some work has been accomplished in the day. It literally means "You are working". The response to this, as any greeting, is: Eya, mukwai (yes, sir).

Here's some more:

Mwashibukeni. (You have woken up)
Mwalileni. (You are enjoying [food])
Mwatandaleni. (You are visiting someone)
Mwaiseni. (You have arrived)

Response to all: Eya, mukwai (or, in the "deep Bemba" of Northern Province: Endita, mukwai; or, in Lala: Eya, mwane)

Obviously this doesn't make sense in English: to walk up to someone and comment on what they are doing. But it's a respectful way in Zambian culture to greet someone. In addition, it can be expanded into a question:

Mwashibuka shani? (How have you woken up?)
Mwalileni? (Are you enjoying food? [Are you eating well?])
Mwabomba shani? (How are you working?)

Responses to these differ depending on your condition; in Zambian culture it is typical and expected to respond honestly: Nabomba bwino (I am working well) or Nabomba panono panono (I am working slowly [not working very well]).

How are you?
Now for the standard greeting, inquiring on one's general state. This is useful to know in different languages if you travel around Zambia (or Africa in general). Here's ones that I know, with their responses, as well as how to return the phrase:

English: How are you?
I am good. And you?

Bemba: Muli shani (mukwai)?
Ndifye bwino. Nga imwe?

Nyanja: Muli bwanji?
Ndili bwino. Kaya inu?

Tonga (Southern Zambia): Muli buti?
Ndikabotu. Chita ndwie?

Mambwe (Northern Zambia, Bemba dialect): Muli ooli?
Ningo sile.