Tonga Livelihoods in Rural Zimbabwe

This book explores the complex and diverse livelihoods of Zimbabwe's Tonga people, who have developed over time despite marginalization and underdevelopment. It highlights the challenges faced by the Tonga, such as poor infrastructure, health and education facilities, soil infertility, and low rainfall, and the ways in which they thrive despite these challenges. The book showcases the research of Zimbabwean scholars and emphasizes the resilience of the Tonga people in the face of political and economic crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Based on extensive original fieldwork, this book delves into the intricate and multifaceted livelihoods of Zimbabwe's Tonga people, exploring how they have evolved over time, particularly in the aftermath of the country's post-2000 political and economic crises. Despite being endowed with natural resources, the northwest region of Zimbabwe inhabited by the Tonga people remains one of the most marginalized and underdeveloped areas in the country, having been neglected by both colonial and postcolonial governments. The Tonga-speaking people, who settled on either side of the Zambezi River around 1100 AD, are a minority ethnic group that remains deeply reliant on the river for their socio-economic livelihoods. This book reflects on the various challenges faced by the Tonga people, ranging from inadequate infrastructure, healthcare, and education facilities to the issues caused by soil infertility and extremely low rainfall, which have been exacerbated by climate change. Many Tonga people were displaced by the construction of the Kariba Dam in the 1950s, restricting their access to the region's natural resources.

However, this book goes beyond these vulnerabilities, showcasing the research of Zimbabwean scholars in particular. It not only sheds light on the challenges faced by the Tonga but also explores the livelihood practices that are thriving despite these obstacles. Furthermore, it examines how livelihoods intertwine with Tonga culture and society more broadly.

Overall, this book highlights the remarkable resilience of the Tonga people in the face of years of political and economic crisis. It makes a significant contribution to research on livelihoods, ethnic minorities, and rural development in Africa.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032244358