The Bemba matrilineal governance system as a basis for a sustainable democratic model of governance by consensus in Zambia

Get Complete Project Material File(s) Now! »

RELIMINARY REMARKS

The title of this dissertation is: Multipartism and the Matrilineal governance system of the Bemba Speaking people of Zambia: An African theological Perspective. In this dissertation an emergence of an alternative paradigmn of democracy based on the model of the Matrilineal governance system of the Bemba speaking people is proposed. The said system will promote a better model of democratic governance, and will by and large promote better human rights in the politics of the 21st centuary in Zambia. We have explored inwards towards some of the indigenous democractic ideals and values within Africa and have comprehensively unearthed that traditional Africans had a system of democratic arrangement that is quite different from the western model and which can be built upon in contemporary African politics. It is within this deictic understanding that we have proposed a non-party consensual democracy based on the model of the governance system of the Bemba as an alternative messiah to many problems bedeviling contemparay Zambia especially the political problem of ethnic and tribal differences.

BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM

The dimension the argument shall take is Pobee’s ‘multi- headed hydra’ metaphoric methodology whose definition is derived from an animal which has one body but many heads (Pobee 1979:43-44). In Greek mythology, “the Hydra was a nineheaded serpent slain by Hercules as one of his twelve labors: when any of the heads was cut off, two others replaced it” (Linebaugh, 2000).We shall repeatedly consider this concept as a model of in our methodology. This owes to the fact that, Zambia cannot attain a democratic system by using foreign ideologies of Multipartism only but also by means “of cultural perspectives inherent within its culture and context of its people” (Muwowo 2010). Firstly because, Zambia constitutionally “declares itself as the ‘Christian Nation’ governed by Christian values and principles” (Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act 18 of 1996). Secondly, Zambia, like any other society, is a product of culture, and therefore it does not exist in a vacuum but through a set of cultural values inherent in the traditions of their category of the African People (Pobee 1979:44).

THE PROBLEM

The problem we wrestle with in our dissertation is: Do we have an African Democracy? Our answer is yes! We have an African democracy which needs rehabilitation. It existed in our African societies political governance systems “as a traditional method of conducting affairs through free discussions by people’s representatives in society” (M.Mutiso, 1975: 478). It was one which , “ operated by consensus” (Mutiso, 1975: 476), “An issue was talked out in solemn conclave until such time as general agreement could be achieved”(Ibid). It involved the participation of all people. The elders sat “ under big trees and talk until they agree” (M.Mutiso, 1975: 478). We recognize and argue that this rich practice was watered down and overlooked by the colonizers who cared less about the African ways of governance and imposed western practices which have destroyed the spirit of African governace as evidenced by, un endingcivil wars, tribalism, nepotism, divisive competion and genocide of the same people, the Homo Afrikanus

HOW IT IS ARGUED

By definition, “Democracy, in Africa or anywhere else is Government by the people for the people” (Mutiso, 1975:478). In ancient Greek they practiced democracy as “a form of participation of all citizens” (Macpherson, 1973:25). We are compelled to argue that, one of the many gifts God has given to Africa is a system of culture and a traditional way of, “conducting affairs” (Mutiso, 1975:478).) amidst the diversity of languages and ethnic groups. This fact of “ Pluralism in society, not least in African society, appears to be part of divine economy” ( Pobee 1973: 19) whose task is to create a unified society through participation where by , “ the people- All” (Mutiso,1975 :478),settle their affairs through consensus. “It is often remarked that decision making in traditional African life and governance was, “rule by consensus” (Wiredu 2000).

MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY: The root meanings

To arrive at a concrete definition and root meanings of the term Multiparty Democracy, this study will consult a conglomerate of the meaning of the term from the world of political science by political scientists as well as from the Christian perspectives. It is important to note that, though there may not be what one may directly call ‘Christian Multiparty Democracy’ due to the none use of the term ‘party’ in the bible, the argument in this dissertation is that the gospel speaks to every situation and therefore is not limited with any particular boundary. It is, therefore, imperative that this being the study of political science from a stand point of theology requires Christian insights and definitions by Christians. In other words, “the task that lies before this kind of ‘dissertation’ requires an integrative, comparative, and analytical approach” (Bwalya 2001:18) to the meaning of Multiparty Democracy if indeed it is to be ethically justifiable. A critique on each perspective will be done in order to strike the right balance of the argumentation and also to keep the flow of the dissertation in order to ascertain the problem which will be addressed later in the study.

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

• PAGE
• Table of Contents
• Declaration
• Acknowledgements
• Dedication
• Abstract
• Abbreviations
• Glossary of terms
• A list of key words
• 1. Chapter One: Introduction
  • 1.1. Preliminary Remarks
  • 1.2. Background to the Problem
  • 1.3. The Problem
  • 1.4. Research Objectives
  • 1.5. Main argument
  • 1.6. How it is argued
  • 1.7. Hypothesis
  • 1.8. Methodology
  • 1.9. Contribution
  • 1.10. Limitation
  • 1.11. Scope
• 2. Chapter Two: Multiparty Democracy: Unpacking meanings and
  • Perspectives
  • 2.1. Introduction
  • 2.2. Multiparty Democracy: The root meanings
  • 2.2.1. General etymological perspectives of the concept of Multiparty Democracy
  • 2.2.2. Multiparty Democracy: the Secular perspectives
  • 2.2.3. Multiparty Democracy: The Christian perspectives
  • 2.2.4. An evaluation of the definitions and perspectives
  • 2.3. Party Systems in Africa
  • 2.4. Political parties and democracy in Africa
  • 2.5. Democracy and Democratic Development
  • 2.6. Democratic Systems
  • 2.7. Democracy and development :Outlining the terms of relationship
  • 2.8. Modernization Theory and the emergence of Democracy
  • 2.8.1. Democracy and development: First Argument
  • 2.8.2. Democracy and development: Second Argument
  • 2.8.3. Democracy and Development Inconclusive findings
  • 2.8.4. The case for Democracy
  • 2.8.5. Democracy and Culture
  • 2.9. Summery and conclusion
• 3. Chapter Three: Zambia’s Experience of Multipartism ( 1964-1973; 2011)
  • 3.1. Introduction
  • 3.2. Multipartism in Zambia in Historical perspective
  • 3.3. The experience of Multipartism in the First Republic,
  • 3.4. Abolition of Multipartism and the formation of a one party State
  • 3.5. The experience of Multipartism
  • 3.6. The Reality of Multiparty Democracy in Zambia
  • 3.6.1. Politics of Tribe from Kaunda to Banda
  • 3.7. Assessing Multiparty Democracy
  • 3.7.1 Zambia’s context of Multiparty Democracy in Praxis
  • 3.7.2. History of Political Parties in Zambia since the re- introduction of Multipartism in
  • 3.7.3. Tribal and Religious aspects
  • 3.7.4. The MMD and incumbency
  • 3.7.5. Donor support to opposition political parties
  • 3.7.6. Weaknesses of opposition political parties in Zambia
  • 3.7.7. Political parties in parliament
  • 3.7.8. Capacity to campaign
  • 3.7.9. Respect for democracy and Human rights
  • 3.7.10. Corruption in Political Parties and political actors
  • 3.7.11. Fictionalization of Parties
  • 3.7.12 Parties in Government
  • 3.7.13. Ethnicity
  • 3.8. Summary and Conclusion
• 4. Chapter Four: The Bemba Speaking people in historical perspective
  • 4.1. Introduction
  • 4.2. The Bemba speaking people
  • 4.2.1. The Origin
  • 4.2.2. Formation of the Bemba tribe
  • 4.2.3. Establishment
  • 4.2.4. Handing over power to Chilufya Mulenga as first Chitimukulu
  • 4.3. Life Style and Identity
  • 4.3.1. Background of the Bemba Economic systems
  • 4.3.2. The economic activities of the Bemba in historical perspective
  • 4.4. Distinctive marks of the Bemba Speaking people
  • 4.5. The Social grouping of the Bemba Speaking people
  • 4.5.1. Kinship
  • 4.5.2. Clan
  • 4.6. Local Organization
  • 4.6.1. Village
  • 4.6.2. The Bemba Territory
  • 4.6.3. Social Classes
  • 4.6.4. Other forms of social groupings in Bemba society
  • 4.7. The Bemba Doctrine of Succession
  • 4.7.1. Formation of a child and identity
  • 4.7.2. The influence of the dead over the living
  • 4.8. The Basis of authority in Bemba Society
  • 4.8.1. The Headman
  • 4.8.2. The Chief
  • 4.8.3. The Priests
  • 4.8.4. Rain Makers
  • 4.8.5. Medicine Men and Women
  • 4.9. Administrative Officers
  • 4.9.1. Keeping the peace of the villages and chieftainships
  • 4.9.2. Organizing Tribute labour
  • 4.9.3. Allocating land for new villages and for farming
  • 4.9.4. Arranging Hospitality
  • 4.9.5. Messengers of the Chief
  • 4.9.6. Apprehending criminals
  • 4.10. Military personnel
  • 4.11. Judicially
  • 4.12. Advisory
  • 4.12.1. The Advisory committee of the sub-chief
  • 4.12.2. The Advisory committee of the territorial Chief
  • 4.12.3. The Advisory committee of the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu
  • 4.13. Duties of Councillors
  • 4.13.1. Ritual
  • 4.14. Summary and Conclusion
• 5. Chapter Five: The Bemba matrilineal governance system as a basis for a sustainable democratic model of governance by consensus in Zambia
  • 5.1. Introduction
  • 5.2. Point of Departure
  • 5.3. The political governance system of the Bemba
  • 5.4. Democracy, decentralization and representation
  • 5.4.1. The mechanism of checks and balances
  • 5.4.2. Councils for making decisions in the Bemba political system
  • 5.4.2.1. Lucende: Village Council
  • 5.4.3. The Territorial council ( Chieftainship Council)
  • 5.4.4. The Council of Bashilubemba: Paramount Council
  • 5.4.5. Ilamfya Council: The Bemba supreme council and highest decision making body
  • 5.5. Preliminary Conclusion
  • 5.6. The Bemba’s Democratic participation
  • 5.7. Consensus decision making
  • 5.8. Conceptualization of Democracy by consensus
  • 5.9. Political Party Ideology
  • 5.10. Democracy and human rights
  • 5.10.1. Civil rights
  • 5.10.2. Cultural rights
  • 5.10.3. Social and Economic rights
  • 5.10.4. Political Rights
  • 5.11. Democracy and human rights in Kwasi Wiredu’s philosophy
  • 5.11.1. Definition of personhood for the Akan tribe
  • 5.12. Prospects for a Zambian concept of democracy
  • 5.13. The political system in contemporary Zambia
  • 5.14. The search for an African identity for the Zambian political governance
  • 5.15. Exploring the option of a non- party consensual democracy
  • 5.16. Summary and Conclusion
• 6. Chapter Six: An Ethical –Theological Framework
  • 6.1. Introduction
  • 6.2. Distinctive marks of the Zambian context
  • 6.2.1. The Zambian Christian Nationhood
  • 6.2.2. Zambia: An African Nation
  • 6.2.3. Politics of Tribe and Ethnicity
  • 6.3. Preliminary Conclusion
  • 6.4. Models of African democratic practices
  • 6.4.1. Communalism
  • 6.4.2. Non-Party movement democracy: The case of Uganda
  • 6.4.2.1. The structure
  • 6.5. The Chieftaincy Model
  • 6.6. Multipartism: From the perspective of African Theology
  • 6.6.1. Point of departure
  • 6.7. Pre- colonial Rulers of the African Traditional societies
  • 6.8. Pre-colonial Democratic Practices
  • 6.9. Pre-colonial decentralized systems
  • 6.10. Pre-colonial centralized systems
  • 6.11. Theological debate
  • 6.12. African theology’ perspective of democracy
  • 6.12.1. Preliminary and conclusion
  • 6.13. African philosophical premises
  • 6.13.1. Summary and conclusion
  • 6.14. An African framework for democracy in Ake’s philosophical paradigm
  • 6.15. Epistemological premises
  • 6.15.1. Point of departure
  • 6.16. Appropriating the Consensus model
  • 6.17. Summary and conclusion
• 7. Chapter Seven: Summary, conclusion, Recommendations and way forward
  • 8. Bibliography

GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT
MULTIPARTISM AND THE MATRILINEAL GOVERNANCE SYSTEM OF THE BEMBA SPEAKING PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA: AN AFRICAN THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE