No CrossRef data available.
Article contents
Feudal Dues in Lundazi
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 July 2009
Extract
The late Professor Gluckman adumbrated on the customary dues formerly made to the King in Barotseland. It might be of interest to consider similar imposts required on the other side of Zambia in the Lundazi District, and to note in particular that the distinction that is made in Barotseland between what Gluckman calls “Kingly things” and tribute also obtained in Lundazi as well.
Feudal dues in Lundazi before the occupation fell roughly into four categories, “Kingly things”, here called regalia or the local vernacular word for them, vya chalo, things pertaining to the land; mithulo or tribute; msonko or land tax and chiŵeta or tribute labour.
The vya chalo, as the name signifies, were things pertaining to the land which belonged to the chief in his capacity as the titular head of a land-owning clan and might not be taken or used by anyone else except with permission. Properly speaking vya chalo appear to have consisted only of the skins, with claws intact, of the larger carnivora, lion, leopard and cheetah, the skins of hartebeest and the plumage of the Livingstone Lourie.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © School of Oriental and African Studies 1986
References
1 The claws were carefully wrapped in grass and bound with bark rope. They were examined by one of the chief's chilolo, court assessors, and if they were found to be intact a small present, in addition to the chilambo present which is mentioned below called the chiwongozgo, to cause to be seen, was given after the examination.
2 It was believed that this organ contains a poisonous substance which could be fatal if administered to human beings. In the case of R. v. Eziwill, Mpamba 97/44, a villager who killed a hartebeest and cut it up without informing the chief was convicted of contravening customary law and fined. The evidence was that he should have informed the chief who would have sent out a chilolo to remove and destroy the gall bladder. There is a similar belief concerning the gall bladder of crocodiles and the same procedures were required. The crocodile does not however appear to have been classified as royal game.
3 The vernacular names are ndubaluba or shulushulu and appear to include all three local varieties, namely, Turaais livingstonii livingstonii, Turacus schalowi marungenis and Gallirex porphyreolophus chlorchlamys. The coloration of the birds' red wing feathers is due to the presence of a substance called turacin which contains copper and is said to be soluble in water.
4 The chilambo present was also awarded to a person who killed an outlaw and to one who escaped death at a mwavi poison trial.
5 Livingstone, David, Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa, London, 1857, 608.Google Scholar
6 Lundazi Civil case 33/1912.
7 Hughes, J. E., Eighteen Years on Lake Bangweulu, The Field Press, 1932, 749.Google Scholar
8 These have not been identified but are probably Quelea, Quelea quelea pathamii, and the Nyasa or Lilian's Lovebird, Agapamis lilianoe.
9 See text of clause in the Weise Concession quoted in the North Charterland Commission Inquiry, Col. 73 (July 1932) and Livingstone, op. cit. 608.Google Scholar
10 Stefanizyn, S. J., “The Ambo” in Ethno-graphic Survey of Africa (editor Daryll Ford) Part 2, East Gtntral Africa, London, 1931, 48.Google Scholar
11 de Barros, Joao, “Da Asia”, cited by Theal, G. M., Records of South-East Africa, (6 volumes) London, 1899, Vol. VI, 271.Google Scholar
12 Poole, E. H. Lane, The Native Tribes of the Eastern Province of Northern Rhodesia, Lusaka (2nd Edition), 1938, 21Google Scholar and Rev. Young, T. Cullen, Notes on the History of the Tumbuka–Kamanga People, Livingstonia, 1931, 160.Google Scholar