The Elites of Barotseland 1878-1969 - by Gerald L Caplan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Elites of Barotseland: 1878-1969 offers a comprehensive political history of Zambia's Western Province, focusing on the Lozi people and their interactions with imperial powers, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The study traces the political dynamics of Barotseland from the late 1800s, highlighting how imperial forces shaped the kingdom's structure, as well as the internal power struggles among the Lozi elites. It emphasizes the historical significance of Barotseland's integration into Zambia in the 1960s, which marked the transformation of a colonial entity into a unified state.

The work examines the political, economic, and social structures of Barotseland, emphasizing the role of the Lozi ruling elite in shaping the region's destiny. The study reveals how the Lozi, who had been relatively powerful in their region, adapted to European imperialism through indirect rule, and how these interactions influenced the formation of a new political and social elite. Through detailed accounts of the Lozi kings, such as King Mulambwa and later Lewanika, as well as the colonial and post-colonial political transformations, the book discusses the role of elites in both resisting and accommodating imperial power.

Additionally, the study touches on the broader themes of colonialism in Africa, examining how economic systems, education, and social class conflicts played out within Barotseland. The rise of secessionist tendencies and the contest for power between various elite factions are also explored in the context of Barotseland's eventual integration into Zambia. This book offers a nuanced understanding of the internal politics of Barotseland and its significance in the larger framework of Southern African history, making it an important resource for those interested in African political history and the dynamics of colonialism and post-colonial state formation.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1970.