DERIVING ETHNO-GEOGRAPHICAL CLUSTERS FOR COMPARING ETHNIC DIFFERENTIALS IN ZAMBIA Kambidima Wotela Centre for Actuarial Research (CARe), Faculty of Commerce, Upper Campus (A332.1 P.D Harn Building) University of Cape Town Rondebosch (7700) Cape Town Western Cape South Africa.
[email protected] This article derives seven ethno-geographical clusters comprising ethnic societies with similar histories, regional settlements and common kinship lineage arrangements. The procedure reveals the origin of social diversity in Zambia. To explore the usefulness of these clusters, we apply population counts to explain the genesis of the seven ‘official’ languages from several Zambian languages. Comparing and contrasting ethno- geographical clusters reveals features underlying ethnic similarities and differences in Zambia. We resolve that common origin and migrations that occurred between the twelfth and nineteenth century define ethnic distinctions in Zambia. These characteristics provide a lens through which we can place and analyze current social, linguistic, political, and demographic forces. Compared to provincial administrative regions, ethno- geographical clusters are useful units-of-analysis for comparing ethnic differentials in Zambia. Key words: Zambia, ethnicity, linguistics 1. INTRODUCTION From time immemorial, Zambia has had a diverse ethnic, linguistic and cultural composition. Currently, ethnic societies re-emphasise their traditions through music and dance at important annual ceremonies and occasional social gathering such as funerals and weddings (Kapambwe 2004). Politically, ethnic diversity entails managing a potentially fragile nation. Therefore, as implied by Sardanis 1, Zambia’s implicit political agenda since independence has been to unite the different ethnic societies—for example, enacting English as the only official language of government business.