Wednesday, 6 September 2017

THE ZAMBIA I KNOW : Lozis are not a tribe


The Barotseland of western part of Zambia has had 38 tribes as follows: Mambowe, Masubia, Mafwe, Makwangwali,Manyengo, Maikwamakoma, Makwandi, Maimilangu, Maliuwa, Makwangwa, Mambukushu, Mankoya, Mambunda, Makwamashi, Makwamwenyi, Mashasha, Masimaa, Mandundulu, Mayauma, Mambumi, Malukolwe, Makwengo, Mashanjo, Mananzwa, Makololo, Maluvale, Machokwe, Maseba, Makwandu, Mayeyi, Maluunda, Malucazi, Mandebu, Makwamulonga,Matoka-leya, Matotela, Mahumbe, Malushange and Aluyi.

Prior to the year 1830, the Aluyi were the rulers of the country called Barotseland. The Barotse
valley was called Uluyi and spoke the Siluyi tongue. In 1830 King Mulambwa (the 10th Litunga) with the longest and famous reign died.

Thereafter, civil war broke out following a succession dispute between his two sons, Mubukwanu and Silumelume. At this critical moment, the Kingdom was invaded by warriors from the south, the Makololo. The Makololo reached Barotseland on their conquest journey from the south and subdued the divided Aluyi and their subject tribes. They became rulers of the land for 25 years.

As well-known, it was usual for a victorious tribe to marry the women and use the indigenous language, the Sikololo became the medium of intercourse between the Makololo and their subjects. After 25 years, the Aluyi and other subdued tribes rebelled and slaughtered the Makolo men and restored the Barotse sovereignty. The Sikololo Lozi language remained the common language in Barotseland.

To say Lozi is a tribe is like saying Nyanja is a tribe, simply put, no one can claim to be Lozi just like no one can claim and prove to be Nyanja.

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