Zambian Futurism and Decolonial Entanglements: History, Ecology, and Technology in The Old Drift

This article explores the critical framework of tropical futurisms as presented in Namwali Serpell’s The Old Drift (2019), a novel that intertwines Zambia’s colonial past, postcolonial realities, and speculative futures. Serpell’s narrative challenges dominant, Eurocentric historical perspectives and reclaims Zambia’s agency through the themes of decoloniality, ecological resilience, and technological entanglements. By juxtaposing colonial infrastructure projects like the Kariba Dam with speculative innovations such as microdrones and bioengineering, Serpell critiques the exploitation of African resources and people while imagining alternative, empowered futures for the region. The novel’s emphasis on multispecies ecologies, particularly through the symbolic role of mosquitoes and the environment, underscores the interdependence of human and more-than-human futures. Additionally, Serpell engages with Zambia’s space program as a symbol of decolonial ambition, exploring how the nation’s historical figures like Ba Nkoloso represent a break from colonial limitations. By blending magical realism, historical fiction, and science fiction, The Old Drift presents a multidimensional narrative that positions Zambia at the centre of global technological and ecological conversations, offering a compelling vision of a decolonised and interconnected future, which this article examines as an essential contribution to the discourse on tropical futurisms and decolonial thought.