The development of the Asian trading class in Chipata Zambia

Abstract

In Chipata,Asians have been engaged in trading since colonial times. Trading has been their principal occupation even though agriculture is the predominant economic activity in the area. This study examines the evolution of the Asian trading class in Chipata between 1900 and 1964. It provides a historical explanation of why Asians came to occupy a predominant position in the retail and wholesale trade of Chipata during the colonial period. It also examines the role played by Asians in the politics of decolonization and assesses the impact of the Asian trading class in the area.Theoretically this study examines the complex interplay between the factors of race and class in a colonial context.It demonstrates that in a racially stratified society racism influences class struggle because the substructure and the superstructure determine and influence each other, that is, they are fused and mutually reinforcing.