BAROTSI, OLD AND YOUNG.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13066, 4 March 1903, Page 3

BAROTSI, OLD AND YOUNG.

(Pall .Vail Gosotfc,) The death of Makhosi, mother of Lewauika—an event which naturally passed unnoticed in this country—was, according to private correspondence, a matter of some concern from the political point of view. The old lady was a person of pronounced opinions—a writable terror to the Court, and a constant source of anxiety to the whites who work, cither for religious or Imperial interests, in that part of the world. Makhosi exercised an immense influence over her son—an influence .which was always exerted on the side ,of evil. Thoroughly in sympathy with the old witch-dances, the unspeakable " beer ” orgies, and with all customs which upheld the absolute power of the king to do exactly what he pleased with his subjects, she regarded every act of clemency, every omitted torture, every impulse towards Christianity in her son, as a sign of contemptible weakness. The few, now long past and bitterly regretted, deeds of pure savagery, which darkened the earlier years of Lewanika’s sovereignty were, though perhaps not inspired, at least approved by Makhosi, and to tho day of her death sh« never failed to urge the king to show merciless severity towards any man or woman who had the misfortune' to incur her displeasure. When Lcwanika was first dis>posed to submit to British suzerainty, soma years before our Protectorate "was actually established, Makhosi, was understood to bo entirely in sympathy with the recalcitrant chiefs," whose fierce objections to tho pro* ject compelled Lewanika to delay Ms ag* peat to* the High Commissioner. To the missionaries, the old queen offer* od a determined resistance, which no pro* sente or other courtesies was able to over* come completely, although latterly sho ap* peared to entertain a. feeling of liking for the gentle and saintly evangelist at th* head of the French Protestant Mission.

Advancing age, and the general modiS* cation of her social environment, _ brought about by the inroads of Christianity amd civilisation, softened at last the natural cruelty of her character, but she never ceased to inspire fear among her entourage. Nevertheless, according,to the accounts of the missionaries, the tribal mourning waa of the most complete and overwhelming nature. All business, pleasure, and even worship, were at a complete standstill foe days. The people assembled near the dead woman’s kraal, wailed and howled hours together, and that over and above the “ official ” mourning, which requires certain persons to sit with the near relatives, and weep whenever they weep. Undoubtedly, however, the death of Makhosi makes for the advance of civilisation, for the powerful personality acted as a constant drag on the morpd development of Lewanika’s character. Now that the last link, with all that was unworthy in his past, is gone, the long may be expected to move steadily forward. A certain anxiety is, however, felt by those acquainted with' Central African problems respecting Litia, son and heir of Lewanika, who is by no means so perfectly satisfied with the terms of the British suzerainty as is his father ; v and the latter, it must be remembered, only compounded the tribal dues, for a fixed salary for the period of his own lifetime. In the natural course of events, the Government will one day bo called upon to make new arrangements with Litia.

From the first, the young man has shown some independence of character. About the age of fifteen, he was sent in charge of a Swiss missionary to Basutoland for education. On the way, owing to some contretemps, he quarrelled with the pastor, and, refusing to proceed further, ho turned aside, accompanied by a few other boys, to visit Kliama. This insubordination met with an unexpected result. Litia conceived an immense admiration for Ivbama, and, after a few months, returned to Barotseland determined to embrace Christianity. After duo instruction, ho was baptized, and has proved faithful to bis profession, both in creed and in practice. But Litia, unlike his father, who lives at Lealuyi, far away from trade routes, resides near Vic- _ toria Falls, and is constantly in contact with " white prospectors, merchants, and others bent on exploiting the country, and has thus come to realise the somewhat onesided nature of our financial bargain with Lowanika. He partly understands the wealth of th* district between the Kafui and the Zambesi rivers, where copper, lead and other mines have been- discovered, the proceed* of which, over and above the hut tax paid to us by the natives, will be very inadequately represented—when working fully—by the salary paid to Lewanika on behalf of the Government.

In a word, Lilia has views, and ambitions founded on a fuller knowledge than his father enjoys, and his personality is ono which will presently have to be reckoned with. Young, intelligent, and a Christian, considerate and tactful handling may make him a- power for good in Africa, greater, even, than his model, Khama. But slighted, overborne, or Iris legitimate (hopes ignored, tho future Barotse chief may ''easily develop into a troublesome neighbour.