Talk:Barotseland

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[edit] colony

Was Barotseland a separate british colony in the nineteenth century? An atlas I have shows it separate from Northeastern Rhodesia --Astrokey44 09:23, 12 June 2006 (UTC)

From what I have read it does not appear that Barotseland was separate from Northern Rhodesia; but did have a great level of autonomy, making it a protectorate in a protectorate. What is certain is that Barotseland was the native chiefdom which was by far most had most internal autonomy in Rhodesia and Nyassaland.--Aldux 09:49, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

Barotseland's status as a British protectorate was complex and is still the subject of much debate and politicking in Zambia, and relates to calls for secession, it needs to be expanded in the article (perhaps best by someone who is neutral!) as it is the potential source of future conflict. I can have a go at it later if no-one else does. Rexparry sydney 00:56, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

OK, Barotseland Protectorate was indeed a protectorate within a protectorate. It was the original North West Rhodesia with capital at Kalomo. The logic was that by taking in Barotseland as a protectorate, Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company, which actually administered Barotseland until the crown took over I think in 1923, was expanded to include what is now the Copperbelt for obvious reasons. Once this had been accomplished and a more global Northern Rhodesia had been formed, it was no longer important to recognise Barotseland as a separate protectorate although all colonial officers went to great pains to assure succeeding Litungas that Barotseland would always enjoy special treatment and that it was truly under the British monarch which was what each Litunga wanted to hear. It was to the British monarch only that Litungas swore allegiance from the time of Lewanika. Barotseland's entry into Zambia under special conditions that were to be guaranteed by Kenneth Kaunda, Presdient of the First Zambian Republic was a painful one worthy of a separate entry. These were enshrined in the Barotseland Agreement 1964, signed by Litunga Mwanawina III, Kaunda and Duncan Sandys the Colonial Secretary. The Barotseland Agreement was abrogated by Kaunda in 1969 shortly after what had become Barotse Province at independence became Western Province. In fact, most Lozis today do not support any idea of seccession. They are too busy eking out an existence aothough the true explanation for this lack of enthusiasm for autonomy differs between town and country.GFDL —Preceding unsigned comment added by Flintdenton (talk • contribs) 09:23, 14 April 2008 (UTC)