Abstract
Zambian political history has been viewed predominantly through the prism of the national, by focusing on high politics, official ideology and Big Men. The local level equally has to be taken into consideration, as local forces and interests have shaped the translation of national politics in the everyday lives of voters. Moreover, considering the local context can facilitate an understanding of national politics itself. Through the case of Mwinilunga District, the dynamics of the local–national interplay before and after independence will be examined. What were the origins, motives and long-term implications of political opposition in the area? This article analyses the personal objectives behind political agitation, the role of chiefs as mediators between politicians and the population, geopolitical connections to Angola and Congo, and the contrast between postcolonial development policies and local claims of neglect. Paradoxically, understanding local opposition can shed light on the appeal of UNIP's broad nationalist coalition in other parts of Zambia.
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