“Neither Elephant nor Mosquito”

Abstract

This chapter examines the changing livelihoods of the Tonga people in the Sikalenge Ward in Binga District over the period circa 1950–2022. It considers the Tonga’s livelihoods prior to their resettlement from the Zambezi River, and then the period from post-displacement in Binga to independence in 1980 and the independence period until now. Similarities and differences across the various periods are evident, reflecting the dynamic character of Tonga livelihoods temporally. The study used focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews and observations to gather data from the Tonga villagers and key stakeholders. The study reveals that, prior to the forced resettlement, the Tonga’s primary livelihoods entailed riverine, alluvial and upland farming, livestock rearing, hunting, fishing and manufacturing. However, due to the relocation under colonialism and, later, the character of the post-colonial political economy, long-established livelihoods were disrupted because of new contexts of vulnerability marked by systemic disadvantages which served to marginalise the Tonga people of Sikalenge Ward. Today, their livelihoods focus mainly on fishing, subsistence farming, arts and crafts and livestock production, with significant community development programmes and projects initiated by and implemented by development agents. Overall, the Tonga of Sikalenge continue to live extremely precarious lives.