After While, Crocodile

Back in 1908, Barotseland had a problem. The tiny feudal monarchy in darkest Central Africa had become the favorite chomping ground of Zambezi River crocodiles, and finally the Litunga, Barotseland's proud king, was forced to ask the British government for help. Having boned up on modern weaponry, he requested a submarine to combat the river's savage saurians--and also to provide himself with a little sport. But Whitehall was not willing to proliferate dangerous weapons. The Litunga ended up with only a dress sword, a British admiral's uniform, and a vague feeling of frustration.

Last week crocodiles still infested the Zambezi as Barotseland's latest Litunga, Sir Mwamawina Lewanika III, 75, entertained his new overlord. Zambia's President Kenneth Kaunda, one of Africa's newest and most moderate leaders, wanted to make a good impression on the province he had inherited five months ago when Northern Rhodesia became independent. Kaunda accompanied the Litunga to the royal barge, where Sir Mwamawina switched his garb--from a frock coat, striped trousers and pearl-grey topper to the Royal Navy uniform his father had worn.

Then 60 paddlers wearing headdresses fashioned from lions' manes ferried the pair across the flooded, reed-grown Barotse Plain. As they arrived at the Litunga's winter palace, 12,000 prostrated Barotses chanted praises to the jerky rhythm of wooden xylophones, and Kaunda promised the Litunga $4,480,000 in aid--primarily for flood control and agricultural development. That should ensure Zambia against Barotse unrest. And with all those dams going up, it might at the same time lick the longstanding crocodile problem.

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