Indian Zambians

Today I met Moosa. His mother is African. His father is Indian. They never married, and Moosa was raised solly by his mother for the first twenty-six years of his life. Then, his mother suddenly passed away while Moosa was in Lusaka studying at the university there. It was at that time two years ago that Moosa finally sought out his father, who lives in Chipata. His father is a medical doctor by training, who turned to business when his own father, a businessman (as most Indian Zambians are), passed away and needed someone to take over the lucrative family business. Now, Moosa’s father has moved on to the farming industry – to be precise, the tobacco farming industry. Moosa’s father eventually married two women – the first is of Indian heritage, the second is African. They are both legally married to Moosa’s father. Their two families do not ever interact; in fact, they live in separate houses on opposite sides of Chipata. Moosa was at the Katuta lodge, a sort of park or resort area on the outskirts of Chipata, with his three half-brothers, the sons of his father’s second (African) wife.


Polygamy is still prevalent in Zambia. In the Eastern Province where I was staying, those men who choose to live polygamous lives will have only two or perhaps three wives. In the Southern Province, however, the Tongan tribe is known for the great number of wives the men often have – six, eight, even ten women – depending on your wealth and status.

Moosa told me of his life adventures – he studied Arabic in Libya and completed a two-year diploma there. Originally, he had wanted to study science and become a physician or an engineer, but the scholarship funding promised him did not arrive on time and he was essentially forced to withdraw from the university. He plans to study public administration in Uganda so he can return to Zambia to help his people. It was refreshing to meet Moosa, a 29 year-old Zambian who has experienced many life struggles yet who is ambitiously aspiring to better himself and his people.

After spending the entire day at the Katuta Lodge, Todd and I accompanied Dr. Ang while he made some house calls. Both families we visited were Indian patients of Dr. Ang’s. Initially, it was surprising for me to see how many Indians have settled in Zambia, but now I have realized that this is the reality in Zambia. Since the late 1800s and early 1900s the Indians colonized the area and set up business. Today, it is the Indian population that owns almost every business on the streets of Chipata. Hence, they are quite well-to-do. I found that these Indians were also very kind, hospitable, and generous.

By the end of the day, Todd and I were tired. Nonetheless, we still had to make the 30 km trip from town to Mwami. Today, the trip took more than an hour because of the heavy rains from the day, which had eroded the dirt road and created an even bumpier ride back to Mwami. I really would like to speak with the Chief about paving the roads around Mwami – this is ridiculous!

Here are pictures from the beautiful Katuta Lodge: