Word: barotseland
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...LITUNGA OF BAROTSELAND...
Back in 1908, Barotseland had a problem. The tiny feudal monarchy in darkest Central Africa had become the favorite chomping ground of Zambezi River crocodiles, and finally the Litunga, Barotseland's proud king, was forced to ask the British government for help. Having boned up on modern weaponry, he requested a submarine to combat the river's savage saurians-and also to provide himself with a little sport. But Whitehall was not willing to proliferate dangerous weapons. The Litunga ended up with only a dress sword, a British admiral's uniform, and a vague feeling of frustration...
Last week crocodiles still infested the Zambezi as Barotseland's latest Litunga, Sir Mwamawina Lewanika III, 75, entertained his new overlord. Zambia's President Kenneth Kaunda, one of Africa's newest and most moderate leaders, wanted to make a good impression on the province he had inherited five months ago when Northern Rhodesia became independent. Kaunda accompanied the Litunga to the royal barge, where Sir Mwamawina switched his garb-from a frock coat, striped trousers and pearl-grey topper to the Royal Navy uniform his father had worn...
...respectable word, Empire Builder Cecil Rhodes dispatched small bands of his agents into the wilds of Africa to make treaties with entire tribes. In 1890 the agents struck a shrewd bargain. In return for ?2,000 sterling a year and the "protection" of the British crown, King Lewanika of Barotseland granted Rhodes a monopoly of the natural resources of his kingdom. As it turned out, the king's domain covered quite a bit of territory, and under charter from Queen Victoria, Rhodes directed his newly formed British South Africa Co. to exploit, explore and settle thousands of square miles...
...tobacco-a land dotted with modern cities and rich in asbestos, coal, lithium, chrome and cobalt. But in the stretch of the Zambesi River Valley, soon to be flooded by the Kariba Dam, the Stone Age Tonga tribe still wear porcupine quills in their noses, and in Northern Rhodesia, Barotseland is regularly plagued by gruesome ritual murders. In the whole federation there are only four Negro physicians and three Negro lawyers, among 7,100,000 blacks. Ever since the federation was formed, the cry of more and more blacks has been "Kwaca!" (dawn, meaning beginning of freedom...