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Abstract

This thesis involves a case study of three traditional villages in the Western Province of Zambia, paying particular attention to the nature of transition and development in the context of conventional views about their indigenous economic system and capacity for adaptation. Part I of the work gives a geographical perspective of the history of the people. Progressive national interaction and integration paralleled by economic consolidation are apparent. Under colonial influence, after an initial positive impact forces from outside the area prove, however, stronger and bring the process of nation building and economic development to a halt. Part II examines and sums up the present-day conditions in three selected villages in the hope that a synthesis, of the research findings viewed with the understanding gained in the survey of historical development, may yield more reliable guidelines for the formulation of development policies for the area today. Chapter 3 describes and analyses features and characteristics of the physical environment. The growth of settlement and ensuing characteristics of tenure, succession and land rights are considered in the following chapter. A demographic study of the villages analyses and sums up traits and structure of the indigenous and recently immigrated people, examines their life and social order and aspects such as health and education. Chapter 6 focuses on the area's main productive activities - cattle raising, agriculture, fishing, tree crops and other livestock. Position, location and access to communication and transport facilities, their overall impact on trade and marketing and the present village economy are examined in Chapter 7. The final chapter concentrates on housing conditions and amenities, present conditions and changes which can be observed and utilised as incentives. In conclusion the study proposes a policy of integrated development for a broadly-based, multilateral scheme which utilises local resources, social characteristics and manpower to be initiated with great intensity and cooperation over a confined area.