Colonisation of North Western Rhodesia

British rule over the Barotseland, the area controlled by the Litunga of the Lozi, was established through a series of treaties. This area became North Western Rhodesia.

Ware Concession (1889) in North Western Rhodesia

• In 1885, Lubosi was restored as Litunga of the Lozi after tatila Akufana had overthrown him.
• He also faced threats from Ndebele raids and European hunters and concession seekers.
• In 1889, Lubosi therefore asked for British protectorate from Sidney shippard, the British administrator Bechuanaland (now Botswana).
• Before the British could respond, the Litunga signed the ware concession of 1889 with Henry ware.
• Henry ware sold the concession of Cecil John Rhodes in 1890.

Lochner Treaty (1890)

• Cecil John Rhodes sent Frank Lochner to the Litungaas his personal representative. Lochner had the support of Khama, the king of Bechuanaland, as well as the missionary Francis Coillard.
• This led to the Lochner Treaty between the Litunga and the BSA Company.
• This treaty granted the BSA company mineral rights in areas that were not settled by the Lozi.
• This treaty granted the BSA Company mineral rights in areas that were not settled by the Lozi, but which the Litunga claimed as belonging to him. After seven years the British sent a representative, Robert Corydon, to the area.
• Corydon found it difficult to administer Bulozi since the treaty did not give them administrative powers.
• He then request Arthur Lawley to influence Litunga to grant him administrative powers

Lawley Treaty

The Lawley treaty of 1898 granted the BSA Company administrative powers in the area that Litunga claimed to be his.

Orders in Council

The responsibilities and involvement of BSA in the Orders in Council of 1899 were:

1. The area of the Lozi became known as North Western Rhodesia
2. Barotseland would fall under a representative of the BSA
3. The Litunga remained in control; over Bulozi between Sefula and Lealui

Corydom treaty (1900)

Confirmed the Lawley treat and set out the responsibilities of the British government in Barotseland:

1. The BSA Company would administer the area.
2. They had to provide schools, industries and transport services
3. They were allowed to make land grants to settler in Kalomo and Choma.

• As a result of this treaty settlers began to come to the area.

Colonisation of North Eastern Rhodesia

• The occupation of North Eastern Rhodesia did not happen peacefully, as local tribes resisted the British
• However, the spears of the local tribes were no match for British weapons such as Gatling Machine gun.
• The Ngoni of Mpezeni were defeated in 1897 after a series of battles against the British.

The Bemba

In 1899, the British marched into the area of the Lunda chief Mwata Kazembe. His rule had been weakened by disagreement over who succeed him.

NOTE:

The administrative centre in North-Eastern Rhodesia was Fort Jameson, while in North-Western Rhodesia the capital at first, but was moved to Livingstone.

North Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia were joined in 1911. Livingstone became the first capital city