Zambia

Unique Ethnic Interpretations

What is distinctly absent in Zambia's national narrative are the ethnic conflicts that have erupted in so many postcolonial states. Ethnic social networks are not interpreted as mutually exclusive in Zambia as in other African states, and Zambians do not define themselves only in terms of belonging to an ethnic group. Religious networks also show the same syncretism, as about 75 percent of the population follow indigenous beliefs or faiths, which combine local beliefs with Christianity. The remaining 25 percent are Christians.

With the end of colonial rule and the departure of almost the entire white elite population, the country was inhabited by 99 percent Africans belonging to 75 different ethnic groups. The few Europeans and Asians that now remain in the country mainly live in the cities. Although Zambia is ethnically diverse, all its inhabitants speak Bantu. The largest ethnic cluster is the Bemba, who live in the northern province and include 18 closely knit groups. The Bemba chief is the figure who symbolizes the unity of the 18 groups. The Bemba are a matrilineal society and have been fairly isolated from other ethnic groups. Its members live on subsistence agriculture and are mostly employed as miners. The Nyanja, who are often associated with the Nsenga and Ngoni, live along the Malawi border. They were the first to enter into contact with the colonizers and, because of their privileged position in the colonial administration, have remained closely associated with governmental offices and administrative tasks. The Tonga represent the largest ethnic group in the south, and their lifestyle has undergone considerable change throughout the 20th century.

This was particularly due to the influence of income that has added an unprecedented class dimension to the existing social networks based mostly on matrilineal [Page 978]family ties. The Lozi live west of the Tonga, and their ancestors were from the Barotese dynasty that ruled the region from the 17th century until the British conquest. The Lunda, who live mainly in the northwest, were initially traders, but as colonial empires were formed, they found themselves displaced by the Europeans and become farmers. Many Lunda came to Zambia as refugees from Angola.

In spite of this ethnic mosaic, Zambia is comparatively immune to the racial tensions that characterize other countries' histories. This may be due to the fact that ethnic groups do not have much contact with each other and, even during the colonial domination, were not forced to share lands or compete for offices. In addition, Zambian society does not seem to develop its networks on ethnicity, as is often the case in African societies. On the contrary, in Zambia, the most immediate ties are to one's family and village rather than to the larger ethnic group. Class, education, and work ties are also becoming at least as important as ethnicity in social organization.

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