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TAXATION IN THE TRIBAL AREAS OF THE BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE, 1899–1957

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2004

CHRISTIAN JOHN MAKGALA
CHRISTIAN JOHN MAKGALA
Affiliation:
University of Botswana
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Abstract

This essay examines, through taxation, the relationship between British colonial administrators, Tswana Dikgosi (chiefs) and their subjects in the Bechuanaland Protectorate from 1899 to 1957. It argues that since Bechuanaland became a British territory through negotiations the Tswana rulers were able to protect their interests aggressively but with little risk of being deposed. Moreover, the Tswana succession system by primogeniture worked to their advantage whenever the British sought to replace them. Taxation was one arena where this was demonstrated. Although consultation between the Dikgosi, their subjects and the British was common, subordinate tribes sometimes fared badly under Tswana rule.

Keywords

Botswanasouthern Africacolonial administrationchieftancyaccommodation to colonialism
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of African History , Volume 45 , Issue 2 , July 2004 , pp. 279 - 303
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

This piece is a result of fieldwork and research carried out in Botswana between October 1999 and September 2000 while I was reading for a Ph.D. at Selwyn College, Cambridge University. I particularly thank Professor John Iliffe (my Ph.D. supervisor), the African History Group at Cambridge and Drs. R. K. K. Molefi and Bruce Bennett (University of Botswana) for their helpful comments. The research was funded by the Smuts Memorial Fund (Cambridge).