The British policy of indirect rule among the acephalous society of Monze district of northern Rhodersia (Zambia) 1890-1964.
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Date
2020
Authors
Silumba, Victoria
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Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
This study is a historical investigation of the British policy of indirect rule among the Acephalous society of Monze district from 1890 -1964. The research was prompted by the fact that there is gap in literature regarding how indirect rule was implemented among the Tonga of Monze district and what impact it had on the people. Whereas there is so much literature regarding the history of the pre-colonial and colonial Tonga, their social, economic, political and religious ways of life, literature on how indirect rule worked among the Tonga and its impact is scanty. Three main areas looked at were examining how indirect rule was implemented and analysing its impact on the socio-economic and political organisation of the Tonga people of Monze district. This study utilised the qualitative method of data collection. Both primary and secondary data was collected from the University of Zambia Main Library, Faith and Encounter Centre library, Institute of Economic and Social Research library and the National Archives of Zambia. Oral interviews were conducted with some chiefs, headmen and other elderly people in Monze district. In analysing data, historical evidence was scrutinized by comparing what each source stated. The findings of the research were that indirect rule was implemented among the Tonga in 1929 by the introduction of the Native Authorities, Native Courts and Native Treasuries. The Native Authorities comprised chiefs who were appointed by the British. The chiefs worked with clerks, headmen and kapasus. The chiefs were also in charge of the Native courts where they presided over civil and criminal cases. The appointment of chiefs among the Tonga, through indirect rule, had an impact on the people’s socio-economic organisation. The duties included tax collection, labour recruitment, settling of civil and criminal cases and land allocation. The study further concludes that the British policy of Indirect Rule had a political impact on the Tonga society who prior to the coming of the British did not have chiefs. Some of the chiefs appointed by the British colonial government did not understand what was required of them and thus the people did not respect them. Other chiefs appointed by the British were rejected by the people and thus they were not respected too. In certain cases, some areas were controlled by two chiefs who did not recognise each other’s authority and this led to dual chieftainship which further divided the people as they were confused on whom to pay loyalty to. The study concludes that the British policy of indirect rule among the Acephalous society of Monze district was challenging in its implementation because of the lack of a centralised political organisation among the Tonga. The Acephalous nature of the Tonga made it difficult for the people to understand and respect the appointed chiefs.
Key Words: Indirect Rule and Acephalous Society
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Postcolonialism. , World politics--Zambia, Monze--1890 -1964 , Colonies--Africa.