The Indians of Zambia: A Legacy of Commerce and Coexistence

As Britain established its colonies across eastern and southern Africa, it facilitated the migration of a significant Indian population to these regions. While these immigrants are now remembered for their commercial success and skills, their early life in Africa began under arduous conditions, toiling in mines, building railways, or laboring in agriculture and other sectors.

Today, the African nations with the largest populations of Indian origin are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa. Predominantly from India's Gujarat region, these diaspora communities have made substantial contributions to the economy and development of nearly every country they call home. Their success in key sectors has often led to a standard of living significantly higher than that of the local native populations.

Perceived by many Africans as a tight-knit, entrepreneurial, and successful community, Indian migrants have historically received a mixed reception. Alongside positive recognition, they have also faced discrimination. In 1972, Ugandan leader Idi Amin infamously expelled them, accusing them of sabotaging the country's harmony and profiteering—charges that masked the real reason: their formidable command over Uganda's economy. They were later invited back. In a starkly different gesture, Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta embraced the community, declaring them Kenya's "44th tribe" in 2017.

Zambia is home to a smaller Indian population compared to its neighbors, yet this community holds an influence that belies its size. The first Gujarati immigrants arrived on Zambian soil in 1905. Unlike the labor migrants of South Africa, it was often skilled craftsmen and businessmen who settled in Zambia. Muslim migrants predominantly settled in the country's east, while Hindu migrants began arriving in the southern provinces.

After independence, most Indians took Zambian citizenship, becoming an integral part of the nation. Today, their population is estimated at around 25,000, with significant communities in the capital, Lusaka, and the eastern Chipata province near the Malawian border. In Kamwala, one of Lusaka's key commercial centers, the vast majority of shops are run by Indian merchants.

The role of the Indian community in fostering bilateral relations is undeniable. India is one of Zambia's leading investors. Trade between the two countries is growing steadily, with Indian entrepreneurs establishing hospitals, Indian specialist doctors providing care, and Indian-made medicines supplying the healthcare sector. Copper and precious stones are at the forefront of Zambia's exports to India.

In a powerful example for the world, the Indian community in Zambia—comprising both Hindus and Muslims—maintains a remarkable harmony and peaceful coexistence. This stands in stark contrast to the rise of Hindu nationalism and Islamophobia in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In central Lusaka, churches, Hindu temples, and mosques often stand on the same street, sometimes side-by-side. As Muslims and Hindus frequently choose to live together in the same neighborhoods, their places of worship naturally exist in close proximity.

Today, Zambians of Indian origin have a strong presence not only in commerce but also in health, mining, construction, and tourism. Some of the country's largest producers of food and cleaning products are Indian-owned firms.

Yusuf Zumla, a Gujarati descendant born in Zambia, recounts his parents' story. They arrived as traders in 1943, holding British passports. Though they faced initial economic struggles, they quickly established their own business and built a better life. Yusuf's father was among the first Indian immigrants to start a construction business in Zambia. The family ensured all their children were educated in the UK. Yusuf chose to return with his enhanced skills, dedicate himself to Zambia, and take on its citizenship.

He says that Zambians of Indian origin have never felt like foreigners in this country. They attended the same schools as the native population, were neighbors in the same communities, and are inseparable parts of the whole.

Third-generation Zambian Meera Joshi recalls stories from her grandfather about how the Indian community opened their homes to protect founding leader Kenneth Kaunda from British pressure. She occasionally visits India to see friends and distant relatives but emphasizes that she feels Zambian, not Indian.

A large portion of the community prefers endogamous marriage (marrying within the group). While the older generation speaks English, Gujarati, and Urdu, these languages are gradually being used less by the youth. However, most migrants, whether Muslim or Hindu, hold onto their traditional clothing.

The community has the infrastructure to preserve its culture and faith, with mosques for worship and madrasas and schools for religious education. Unwilling to compromise on their culinary tastes, they have enriched the national food scene with shops supplying traditional spices and ingredients and a variety of Indian restaurants.

Deeply satisfied with their lives and with a great affection for Zambia, the Indian community there largely prefers to stay out of politics.

Sources:
https://mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Bilateral_Brief_for_zambia_Jan_2019.pdf
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/08/04/uganda-idi-amin-asians-1992/
https://www.voanews.com/a/kenyans-asian-descent-nations-newest-tribe/3963971.html

This article was originally published in Independent Türkçe on 5 April 2023.