I enjoy the history of the two kings of the Matebele, Mzilikazi and his son Lobenguela, and their interactions with the British and Boers.
Perhaps the best (with apologies to Wilbur Smith) fictional Novels of Africa come from H. Rider Haggard. F.C. Selous was the the idea for the character of Allan Quatermain, who is in all of the novels.
Link to "Diary of an African Journey" by Haggard:
http://books.google.com/books?...t&resnum=1#PPA166,M1

The "notes" that begin on page 168 are something to see to appreciate Haggard's knowledge and experience especially in regard to Lobenguela (and Cecil Rhodes)


Lobenguela's sons;


Bulawayo, Lobenguela's capital city:


Youngest daughter

[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia
/en/thumb/0/0a/Lobengulas_youngest_daughter.jpg/472px-Lobengulas_youngest_daughter.jpg[/IMG]

Selous, after whom H Rider Haggard fashioned his Novel character Allan Quatermain.


Mzilikazi's roller. Crime punishable by death for anyone to possess the feathers other than Mzilikazi, whose robe was made of the feathers:

Great photos, Steve. I haven't read any of Haggard's work for over thirty years. I may have to remedy that!

Steve:

Great photos and report. I passed through Bulawayo in 2007 on my way from the Lowveld to Vic Falls. Looks about the same today as then.

Steve: I don´t want to hear about apologizing.
Wilbur Smith copied without shame Haggard´s characters and situations. For instance the prince Umslopogaas in the Zulu series, the books She and Ayesha in Smith´s novels about Egypt (there he also took many things from Waltari´s Sinuhe the Egyptian). I enjoy his books most of the time, but do recognize Haggard´s copy and paste
Assegai is not yet translated to Spanish, but I´m ready to see another steal.

Nice post, thanks for sharing.

quote:

Originally posted by SGraves155:
Perhaps the best (with apologies to Wilbur Smith) fictional Novels of Africa come from H. Rider Haggard. F.C. Selous was the the idea for the character of Allan Quatermain, who is in all of the novels.

FC Selous inspired the fictonal character, Allan Quatermain, whom inspired the fictional character, Indiana Jones.

And the fictional character "Allan Quatermain" in the late 1800's inspired a considerable number of later African explorers, Elephant hunters and White Hunters, whom read the books in school. "Boys Own Stories" become real life.

you might want to read Martin Meredith's "DIAMONDS, GUNS AND WAR" for an in depth examination of the interactions of those characters, including Haggards relationship with Rhodes and the other Randlords, and the subsequent problems that South Africa faced

Bryan, thank you for reminding us about that book. I have intended to read it, will check at Amazon.com.

Steve

fabulous pictures !!

My late grandfather could have given you detailed information on Mzilikazi and Lobengula. Our property is some 30 minutes from the Western Suburbs of lobengula and Mzilikazi in Byo hence my grandfather ( and he was incredibly proud of this ) grew up amongst their descendents.

The Ndebele ( Matabele ) are a very loyal and proud people. They also have a short fuse much like their cousins in South Africa the Zulu.

growing up i witnessed many a fight particularly when Chibuku ( African Beer ) was involved.

Do take a guided tour of Matopos ( Cecil John Rhodes grave ) next time you are in bulawayo and visit the Museum of Natural History too.


Arnold Payne
www.impalasafaris.com
apayne@impalasafaris.com
480 558 6932

Steve: Martin has a couple of other books:"THE FATE OF AFRICA" and "MUGABE" you might find time to read.

Bryan, thanks
Another good book is Cloete's "Against These Three"( cir. 1945) which is a bio of Lobenguela, Rhodes and Paul (Oom Paul)Kruger, and the interactions of these larger-than-life folks.

Arnold, I would love to have been able to hear your grandfather's stories. Hope you got some on tape to remember for your children.

quote:

Originally posted by nainital:
Assegai is not yet translated to Spanish, but I´m ready to see another steal.

In colloquial English, you could say "Assegai is not yet translated to Spanish, but I'm willing to take a stab at it"

I read Haggards books as a boy and enjoyed them. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that I read where Haggard wrote King Solomans Mines on a bet, in a short period of time, and having never been to Africa. Comments?
P.S. Remember Ursula Andress as "SHE"... Yowza!!

quote:

Originally posted by lee440:
I read Haggards books as a boy and enjoyed them. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that I read where Haggard wrote King Solomans Mines on a bet, in a short period of time, and having never been to Africa. Comments?
P.S. Remember Ursula Andress as "SHE"... Yowza!!

He did bet with his brother a few shillings that he could write a book as good as Robert Louis Stevenson's. He had been already been to Africa extensively, and wrote the first book (King Solomon's Mines) over the course of 14-16 weeks. His brother was also an adventurer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Solomon%27s_Mines

Here is the free ebook:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2166/2166-8.txt

As noted in the preface, "kukuanaland" is actually Matebeleland.