Elders, young men, and David Livingstone's 'civilizing mission': revisiting the disintegration of the Kololo kingdom, 1851-1864
2009; Boston University; Volume: 42; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
2326-3016
Autores Tópico(s)Tourism, Volunteerism, and Development
ResumoIntroduction When David Livingstone arrived for second time at capital town of Linyanti on Chobe River in upper Zambezi on Monday 23 May 1853, Sekeletu, eighteen-yearold king of Kololo, received intrepid Scottish missionary doctor in royal fashion. Suitably adorned in European attire for occasion, young sovereign, barely three years in office since his father Sebitwane died in 1851, conducted visitor from outskirts of town to kgotla (central court) in what resembled triumphal procession attended by nearly all 7,000 inhabitants of town. The monarch, his chiefs (indunas), and guest were not only conspicuous members of procession. There were also numerous Kololo young men, women, and children. The Kololo were, however, far outnumbered by Lozi, Nyengo, Subiya, Tonga, Kwanga, and Totela slaves who made up bulk of population at Linyanti, as they did elsewhere in Bulozi plain, where their Kololo masters contemptuously called them Makalaka since they had defeated latter in 1830s and 1840s. Amidst jubilation, Mapulanye, court herald and head and eyes of king, recited poem in honor of visitor, repeatedly urging him to bring peace to kingdom.1 Women, too, eagerly placed pots and pots of bojalwa or beer at David Livingstone's feet when he reached kgotla, as some of women ululated and others burst into tears of joy at sight of white man. But more serious business between guest and host was transacted few weeks later. With dust of grand reception settled, monarch asked visitor to name whatever he wanted to receive from king: anything, Sekeletu stressed, either in or out of his town, including those things that young ruler himself liked most.2 Livingstone saw his chance. Gruffly speaking in SeTswana, language of Kololo that he had learnt in South Africa, Christian preacher pressed king to open up his kingdom to Christianity so that its emissary from Europe could convert Kololo and their vassals to new faith, teach them to read and write, and, eventually, establish permanent mission station within kingdom. Sekeletu may have anticipated visitor's requests, for his response came as swiftly as it was decisive. In a low pleasant voice and in quiet, unassuming manner, Sekeletu, with overwhelming backing from his indunas, granted all demands.3 And perhaps to please Christian missionary even more, but certainly for other reasons disclosed later, king offered to accompany Livingstone personally to Bulozi plain to select malaria-free site for proposed mission station.4 Despite generous offer, David Livingstone seems not to have been fully satisfied with king's answer. Trying his luck, he asked young monarch to become first to convert to new faith, thus setting an example for his people. Sekeletu stood his ground. Politely but firmly, he told his guest that while Kololo sovereign himself and his chiefs would accord missionary whatever assistance he needed, young potentate had neither intention nor desire to embrace new faith. Still, Sekeletu soon made good on his promise. That month he not only opened kgotla to missionary to commence teaching and preaching, but he also actively encouraged young royals to learn to read the mysterious book, Bible. Later, too, king personally escorted explorer to Bulozi plain in search of place where Livingstone could build his church. But Scottish doctor had yet another surprise in store for young monarch. In September 1853, after their relationship had been mutually oiled by stream of gifts, David Livingstone unraveled before full pitso (or national meeting) what he called the plan for Makololo.5 Under this blueprint, embodiment of his civilizing mission, David Livingstone implored Kololo to abandon their economy based on cattle raiding and slave-trading in exchange for market-oriented economy. …
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