Barotseland : eight years among the Barotse

Spending eight years among the Barotse, the author offers a lively, first‑hand portrait of a kingdom that stretches along the mighty Zambezi. From bustling river villages to the plains where the giant sable antelope roams, the narrative paints the landscape as a backdrop for everyday life, trade, and the rhythms that bind the community together.

The book explores the Barotse’s rich customs, riddles, songs, and legends, revealing how tradition shapes identity and law. Central to the story is Paramount Chief Lewanika, whose blend of diplomatic savvy, personal generosity, and fierce loyalty to his people leaves a lasting impression. Encounters with missionaries, European visitors, and neighboring chiefs illustrate a society navigating the pressures of change while holding fast to its own values. Listeners will come away with a nuanced sense of a culture that is both deeply rooted and remarkably adaptable.