Implications of customary land conversions on the authority of traditional leaders: a case of Mungule Chiefdom, Chibombo District in Central Province of Zambia

Nsama, Priscillah

Implications of customary land conversions on the authority of traditional leaders: a case of Mungule Chiefdom, Chibombo District in Central Province of Zambia

Thesis / Dissertation

2025

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Philosophy

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

This thesis examines the intricate dynamics surrounding the implications of customary land conversions on the authority of traditional leaders, with a specific focus on Mungule Chiefdom in Chibombo District, Zambia. The study investigates the multifaceted interactions between land administration and indigenous rights preservation in various political regimes. It underscores the central role of traditional leaders in managing customary land and the challenges they face, particularly the erosion of their authority resulting from land conversions. The study employs the theory of traditional leaders' authority to elucidate key concepts and their connections to customary land conversions. Using a case study approach, the research methodology involved purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. The participants include headmen and headwomen, local members of the Mungule community, key informants from the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Ministry of Lands, House of Chiefs, academicians, historians, and representatives from the private sector. The empirical evidence analysed in this study reveals the complex dynamics and adverse implications of land conversions on traditional leadership's authority. They include conflicts with cultural beliefs, economic challenges, and the blurring of legal boundaries. Customary land conversions fragment loyalty within culturally diverse communities, as individuals align themselves with leaders who resonate with their specific identities and interests. This fragmentation is exacerbated by land conversions that shift land from communal to individual ownership under statutory tenure, thus transforming land into an economic commodity. The study also highlights the challenges posed by newcomers and external forces that challenge traditional norms and practices, further weakening traditional leadership's authority and disrupting community cohesion. The economic consequences of losing control over valuable resources compound the struggles of traditional leaders. These consequences underscore the erosion of their authority resulting from converting customary land to leasehold tenure systems, the disruption caused by the influx of newcomers, and the complexity of land exchanges negotiated financially. This study offers significant insights into the impacts of customary land conversions on traditional leadership and local communities. It reveals that the shift from customary to leasehold tenure weakens traditional leaders' authority, challenging existing understandings of land governance. Additionally, the research explores nuanced dynamics like the detachment of newcomers from cultural practices and the fragmentation of loyalty within culturally diverse communities. It underscores the importance of inclusive approaches in land governance to address challenges while preserving cultural heritage and promoting equitable development.