I REALLY need to know for my history sake!!?!?!?

Question

Is anyone from the Royal Lozi Family, I am, and I want to find more of my family. If you don't care about my question, don't answer me with how you don't believe I'm part of the royal family.

Answer 1

This is from Britannica Online. Does it sound like it could include your family?????

Lozi

Encyclopædia Britannica Article      



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also called  Malozi , or  Barotse , formerly  Aluyi  a complex of about 25 peoples of about 6 cultural groups inhabiting western Zambia, the area formerly known as Barotseland in Zambia and speaking Benue-Congo languages of the Niger-Congo family.

Formerly, the groups were all called Barotse as subjects of the paramount chief of the dominant Barotse tribe; the Barotse nation extended into other parts of Zambia, Angola, and the Caprivi strip of Namibia. The Barotse people, originally known as the Aluyi, were conquered in 1838 by the Kololo of South Africa; in Kololo speech “Aluyi” became “Barotse.” In 1864 the Aluyi defeated the Kololo, and “Barotse” has since become “Lozi” (“Malozi”), referring to both the dominant group and all its subjects. The dominant Lozi occupy the floodplain of the Zambezi River, and the people move between two sets of villages, in the plain and on the margin, in response to the annual flooding. They have made skillful use of varying water levels and of different soil and grass conditions to develop an elaborate economy of agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing. The necessity for cooperation to exploit these resources has produced real social cohesion among the Lozi, but they have always been short of labour and have constantly imported people from their subject groups and serfs from raided foreigners. These serfs had substantial rights in Lozi law, within a social hierarchy of aristocrats, commoners, and serfs. Authority was divided among various rulers at the main and other capitals, and in an elaborate system of councils at each capital.

If you had some names to go by, I'd be glad to help you search for them.  :)

Answer 2

Located in western Zambia, the Lozi are one of the last South African ethnic groups with surviving traditions and ceremonies. These traditions have molded a culture that has stood the test of time. Similar to many African groups, the Lozi have been plagued by civil war and colonization. However, out of the ruins of a broken economy, the Lozi have rebuilt their land, united with their neighbors, and kept the fire which their forefathers lit, burning.

Brief Context and History

When studying the Lozi people, it is imperative to gain some statistical facts and physical characteristics regarding the country in which the Lozi inhabit. Northern Rhodesia, which is now Zambia, was controlled by the South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by Great Britain in 1923.1 The name was changed from Northern Rhodesia to Zambia upon independence in 1964.2 Zambia is landlocked between Tanzania, Burundi, Congo (Kinshasa), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. Languages spoken include: English, Nyanja, Memba, Lozi, Luvale, Lamba, Ila, and Tonga.3 Roughly the size of Texas, Zambia stretches 752,614 sq km.4 Perhaps Zambia's greatest natural treasure is its Victorian Falls (which are shared with Zimbabwe). The falls measure 2kms wide, 100m deep, and 546 million cubic meters of water flow over them per minute.5 As of July 2000, the population sums to 9, 582, 418 people6. The birth/death rate is 41.9/1,000 (2000 est.) and the average life expectancy is 37.08 years for men, and 37.41 years for women (2000 est.).7 Although life expectancy is considerably lower then the most industrialized countries, the birth/death rate is not horrific, reflecting modern and accessible medicine. Similar to many other African countries, faith and religion also play a roll in all Zambian tribes. 50-75% of the Zambian people are Christians, 24-49% are Muslim and Hindu and 1% have indigenous beliefs.8

The Lozi live in the floodplain of the Zambezi River. Their population is about 500,000 people.9 Although many Lozi no longer reside on the floodplain, most still retain many of their traditions and history. The floodplain is an unique place to live. During the dry season, the floodplain is flat grassland. However, during the rainy season, the Zambezi River overflows and floods the plain. The lake that results is 20 miles wide and 100 miles long.10 During the time of the flood, the Lozi flee with a ceremony called Kuomboka. The Kuomboka is by far the Lozi's most important tradition, and one of the last great ceremonies in South Africa.

Literally translated, Kuomboka means to "get out of water onto dry ground" and celebrates the move of the Litunga -Lozi King- from his dry season palace, to his wet season palace.11 The Litunga la Moboela (Queen of the Southern Lozi land) is also transported.12 In good rain years, the plain begins to flood in about December and turns into a lake by late March.13 The Litunga (followed by the entire Lozi group) then heads to Lealui -permanently dry ground- that servers as the Lozi capital.14 Essential to the ceremony is the boat that transports the Lozi leaders, leaders bands, and some hundred rowers. The royal barge or Nalikwanda is symbolically painted with white and black strips. The white is for purity, and the black for fertility- the dark color of rain clouds and the dark rich color of fertile soil.15 Each rower wears a red headdress with a scarlet beret and a piece of a lions mane attached.16 The red symbolizes blood- the paddlers willingness to shed blood for their king.17

Also central to the Kuomboka, are the royal bands. The royal bands not only keep the rowers entertained, but also serve as a symbol of power and prestige. The Litunga has three bands, the most of all Lozi leaders. Drums play the leading roll in the bands. They not only signify the beginning of the Kuomboka, but they also serve as a symbol of royalty. The three royal drums are all over a meter long and said to be 170 years old.18 The three drums are named: Kanaona, Munanga and Mundii.19 The royal drums are also accompanied by royal xylophones. Combined, the drums and the xylophones represent and signify the royal Litunga. In fact, the Lozi believe that without royal musical bands, a chief is not very important.20 In entirety, the Kuomboka lasts a total of six hours, all of which drums never stop playing.

The Kuomboka is the only Lozi ceremony that includes all three royal bands.21 The three bands consist of the Luyana Royal Xylophone and Drum Band, the Maoma, and the Nkoya Royal Xylophone and Drum band.22 The royal bands are connected with the Lozi society in everyway. When a Lozi person meets someone who lives near the capital, he/she will often ask: "Are the Kings drums still being played?", meaning: "Is the King alive and well?".23 The Royal music can also be heard whenever the Litunga appears in public or travels.24 Music is also played at sunrise, sunset, and in the middle of the night. The cycle only ever stops for the Litunga's death, or bad times for the Lozi nation.25 The Luyana royal band is the first and most important royal band. It was started during the reign of the first Lozi king, Maboo.26 The Maoma band is second in importance. It is comprised of gigantic kettle drums. There dimensions are four feet in diameter and three feet in height.27 The sound of these drums can be heard for a twenty mile radius.28 The kettle drums are only used on three occasions. The first occasion is to call rowers for Kuomboka; the second is to call for Kufuluhela - the annual procession when the king leads the people back to the floodplain- and lastly to announce a state of emergency.29 The third musical band is the Nkoya. The Nkoya can be heard playing in various social settings.

Early History

Similar to many other ethnic groups in Africa, history for the Lozi is understood in two different ways. The first way is by Lozi tradition, and the second by scholarly research. According to the Lozi creation story, Nyambe (an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing Supreme Being or Deity) lived on earth in the floodplain of the Zambezi River. Nyambe then created many wives for himself.30 One of Nyambe's wives was Mwambwa.31 All members of the Lozi royal family are said to have descended from her. Another wife of Nyambe was Mbuyu, child of Mwambwa.32 Mbuyu was not completely divine, but also part human. Thus, she gave birth to a human baby, and at other times she gave birth a calf whose horns were made of flesh, which were removed later by magic. 33 Later children of Mbuyu were great military leaders and helped expand the Lozi kingdom. This legend helps the Lozi royal family prove their birth right as divine leaders. As a result, the common Lozi citizen (including the many Christians) never question or argue the Litunga's right to rule.

Scholarly research offers a different perspective on the Lozi's early origins. According to research, the first Bantu-speaking settlers, probably including the ancestors of the Tonga, arrived around 800 A.D.34 The Lozi migrated into Western Zambia from the Luba Lunda Kingdom of Mwata Yamvwa in Zaire.35 It is believed that the migration was sparked by an increase in population.36 As a result, food became scarce and the need for more land grew. Upon reaching the floodplain, some tribes settled in villages with no central government. Contrastingly, the Lozi set up a dynasty of divine kings.37 However, disputes between North and South villages quickly led to a bloody civil war. The North immerged victorious, gaining all political power, and coining their king the true Litunga.38 Later southern kings were given the right to rule and were entitled Litunga la Moboela.39 In order to exercise dominance over the Litunga la Moboela, the true Litunga forbid any males to hold the position. Thus, the Litunga la Moboela is always a female. The unification of the Lozi was cut short after the death of the tenth king, Mulambwa (ca. 1830).40 The death of Mulambwa weakened the Lozi kingdom further and opened the door to invasion. The Makololo, who were fleeing the great Zulu conqueror, Shaka, conquered the Lozi in 1840.41

Predictably, the Kololo occupation was a disaster for the Lozi people. Division spread through the kingdom like wildfire, as different kings rushed to claim their own territory. However, the most devastating effect was that the Kololo replaced the Luyana (original Lozi language) with their own.42 The Lozi would never return to their original language. The introduction of the Kololo language was quickly strengthened when the first missionaries arrived in Bulozi.43 One of the most notable missionaries in which the kololo government cooperated was David Livingstone, a celebrated European missionary and explorer.44

Nevertheless, the Kololo occupation was not destined to last long. Unable to pacify and integrate their citizens, the Kololo rulers fell victim to a Lozi uprising. In 1864, a Lozi army, under Njekwa, enthroned Sipopa as prince of the Lozi.45 Sipopa's reign, however, was short lived. Civil war broke out again, and Sipopa was killed. Wars plagued the Lozi people until 1885- the period in which civil war ended with the succession of Lubosi to the throne.46

The new Litunga changed his name to Lewanika, and began rebuilding his lost kingdom. Lewanika purged his rivals, revived the monarchy and royal ceremony, reformed the army, promoted European trade (including arms imports), expanded cultivation, settlement and transportation, and restored a measure of unity and stability to the kingdom.47 Lewanika put his new army to the test by pulverizing the Ila and Tonga in two short wars.48 As a result of both victories the Lozi gained much needed land and cattle. Despite his move in the right direction, Lewanika knew that his armies lacked the gun power and technology to fight the Europeans. The Litunga knew that the Portuguese, German, and British governments were competing to gain colonies in the Lozi region.49 Therefore, he decided to welcome European missionaries, under the condition that they teach the Lozi children reading, writing, arithmetic, other skills- such as carpentry.50 Only children of the royal family attended the first English schools. It wasn't until a few years later that common children were permitted to attend. Still, colonization was inevitable. Therefore, in 1890 Litunga Lewanika asked Queen Victoria of England to accept his kingdom as a British protectorate.51

The negative effects of a colony state set in quickly for the Lozi. Queen Victoria hired the British South African Company (a commercial company) to administer all activity in Southern and Northern Rhodesia.52 Through their reign of control, the British linked Bulozi with a larger territory to the east, and created the colony of Northern Rhodesia, which was later called Zambia.53 The royal Lozi family- who remained in office, but had no real power- opposed the decision; however were unsuccessful in stopping the change from occuring.

Colonization for the Lozi was not entirely disastrous. The royal family remained in office and were paid yearly salaries. Furthermore, the protectorate status of the Lozi kingdom warded off pervious enemies and offered a much welcomed security.54 Education and technology also increased greatly, as more children attended schools. Christian influence also became central to the Lozi community, as an increasing number of Balozi converted to Christianity. The British South Africa Company ruled until 1924, when the British Crown took over.55 English rule lasted until 1964, when Zambia won its independence. Upon independence, the Lozi government changed it name to the Western Province of Zambia.56

Culture and Social System

Ceremony and tradition is firmly rooted in Lozi society. Even simple hand shakes and greetings are complicated by a series of claps. The most important ceremonies held by the Lozi are the Kuomboka, and Kufuluhela- celebrating the annual departure and return to the floodplain. Another greatly celebrated and important Lozi custom is Siemboka.

The Siemboka celebrates a girls' transition into womanhood.57 The tradition originated among the Old Mbunda , who joined the Lozi Kingdom 200 years ago.58 All Lozi girls, except for the royal family, have a Siemboka ceremony. After her Siemboka, the woman is permitted to marry and bare children. Although teen marriages are permitted, most Lozi girls do not marry until their early twenties. The female for which the ceremony is held receives the name mwalanjo.59 On the first day, the mwalanjo is brought out of her house by her aunt. She is then made to lay down on the ground, while covered with newly woven blankets. The purpose is to symbolize the death of her prior life as a child and new life as a women.60 Throughout the day, the mwalanjo's family and friends gather around her; however, none speak to her. Her aunt is responsible for speaking and checking up with her. Instead of paying attention to their friend, the gathered people have a party.61 Musicians play the xylophone and drums, as the crowd sings humorous songs about love, s*x, and marriage. At sundown, the mwalanjo is finally taken away from the gathering by the older women of her family.62 They whisk her away to a secret location, where they educate her about s*x, homemaking, and her rights and responsibilities. No males are allowed near the mwalanjo at this time.63 As the night continues, the party outside grows. Finally, at sunrise, the mwalanjo returns, veiled by a blanket that is shed only when she reaches her home. After shedding the blanket the mwalanjo is officially a women, and therefore is given a new name, and allowed to join the party. No ceremony is practiced for males entering manhood.

Lozi Today

The Lozi have managed to continue many of their traditions. Although many have moved away from the floodplain to pursue profession jobs, culture still plays a major roll in Balozi's lives. For example, most Lozi are Christians, yet they have not abandoned their belief in Nyambe or royal ancestors.64

Since independence, the number of skilled and education Lozi has increased exponentially. This increase has led 1/5 of the Lozi people to migrate to counties like Zimbabwe, Souh Africa, and other countries.65 Most members of the royal family are also well educated from Universities in Zambia, South Africa, England, and the United States.66 Putting their educations to use, members of the divine family- including the Litunga himself- have worked in professions outside the kingdom. The facade of the royal family also continues to fade. The Litunga no longer owns all land and cattle. Businessmen and entrepreneurs can now buy and sell capital as they see fit.67 Nevertheless, decades of colonization and civil war has taken its toll on the Lozi economy. Today the Lozi Kingdom, despite its beauty, is a remote, poverty-stricken area, known for its loyalty to traditional customs and its economic troubles.68 The Zambian government, however, has not given up hope. In the face of terrible inflation, new hospitals, schools, colleges, and electric plants are being built. For the Lozi, the future holds unprecedented opportunities, while the past offers timeless traditions and life lessons.

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