Close to home

They are a vociferous minority, in truth a bit of an awkward squad in the eyes of the central authorities. They belong to a historically separate Kingdom, and are fiercely proud of it, along with their clans, traditions and culture. They make up less than 10% of the total population in the unitary state. Their indigenous language is gradually dying out and being replaced by that of a one-time conqueror. They were forced, it is now generally agreed, into a larger union by the political elites of the time against the general will of the people. However, a Treaty was signed to safeguard certain rights and national institutions belonging to the junior partner but over the years various central governments have, either driven coaches and horses through it, or have studiously ignored it.

No, this is not another self-pitying Scottish girn, it is the Lozi people I’m talking about and the Treaty in question is the Barotse Agreement of 1964 signed by the British, Kenneth Kaunda and Litunga Sir Mwanamwina III. Barotseland, like Lesotho and Bechuanaland(Botswana), was historically a British Protectorate, from as early as 1889, obtaining protection on special terms because of their connection with mission societies and their relative isolation from other settler and colonial interests.

October 24 was Zambian Independence Day but it was apparently not celebrated in Mongu, the Lozi Administrative Capital; in fact the ceremony of raising the Zambian flag at the Blue Gums’ Stadium was boycotted. Later in the night there were running battles with the police as Lozi demonstrators stoned them after they were tear-gassed, baton-charged and live shots were fired to disperse the crowd. Reports say that five police officers were injured and two demonstrators shot and killed. There has been criticism that the police overreacted by using live ammunition and tear gas without warning or ordering the crowd to disperse before taking such drastic action. Order has now been restored and reinforcements from the Paramilitary from the line of rail have been deployed to keep it. Warrants have now also been issued for the arrest of the leaders of the two groups allegedly responsible for the disorder.

So what brought this all about? Apparently two civil groups had been asking police permission for over two weeks to hold a meeting regarding the 1964 Barotse Agreement and its omission and in fact all mention of it in the new draft of the Zambian Constitution. The police had refused to accede to their request.

Had the police allowed the meeting to go ahead in the first place, it is thought that much of the violence, bloodshed, injury and destruction to property could probably have been avoided. The meeting would have come up with resolutions to present to the relevant authorities regarding the concern over the omission of the said treaty in the draft constitution. As often is the case in such matters, the perceived insult to the Lozi people was not necessarily a deliberate snub by the Central Government but merely a lack of sensitivity and empathy, and more a matter of indifference and ignorance on its part.

And yes, believe it or not, the men do wear kilts (liziba) as well!