THERE are over seventy tribes in Northern Rhodesia, and the story of where they come from, their present relationships, their feuds, wars, alliances, migrations, absorptions and amalgamations is the most fascinating tale Northern Rhodesia has yet produced.
W. V. Brelsford, probably Northern Rhodesias best-known author (his works range from the popular Story of the Northern Rhodesia Regiment to the academic Succession of Bemba Chiefs), has now written what will certainly be his major contribution to science and literature in Africa : The Tribes of Northern Rhodesia. Years of preparation and investigation have gone into the writing of this book, the most complete review of tribal history yet compiled.
In eminently readable language, W. V. Brelsford tells a story not only of high interest to the reader who wants to know this country and its indigenous people better, but of intense value to the student, the professional administrator and the anthropologist.
The Tribes of Northern Rhodesia tells something of all the tribes in the country, where they come from, who are their relations and what now distinguishes one from the other. It is an essential addition to the bookshelves of anyone in the Rhodesias and Nyasalandor outside themwho claims to take an intelligent interest in the country.
The author served for over twenty years as a District Officer in Northern Rhodesia, gaining an intimate knowledge of his subject, before transferring to the Information Department. He was the first curator/secretary of the original Rhodes-Livingstone Museum and Institute and he was awarded the Wellcome Medal in 1948 for his sociological research in the Bangweulu area. Author of many articles and books on Northern Rhodesia, he is now Director of the Federal Information Department.
