BAROTSELAND: EIGHT YEARS AMONG THE BAROTSE PEOPLE [Illustration: Lewanika Late Paramount Chief of the Barotse Nation _Frontispiece._ Photo by Mrs. Marshall] BAROTSELAND: Eight Years among the Barotse BY D. W. STIRKE Native Commissioner Northern Rhodesia WITH AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER BY SIR HARRY JOHNSTON, G.C.M.G., K.C.B. At one time H.M. Commissioner &c., for Northern Zambezia LONDON: JOHN BALE, SONS & DANIELSSON, LTD. OXFORD HOUSE 83-91, GREAT TITCHFIELD STREET, OXFORD STREET, W.1 PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR. In presenting this book to the public I would like to register my appreciation of the kindness of various friends who have materially assisted me in its production. My brother-officials Messrs. Helm and Palmer and my friend the Rev. V. Ellenberger, of the Paris Huguenot Mission, have greatly assisted me with advice and information, while my sincere gratitude is due to Mr. Coxhead (Secretary for Native Affairs), Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Walton (Assistant Native Commissioner), and Mr. Thomas (Vice-Principal of the Barotse National School) for photographs. The greatest care has been taken in checking and rechecking any and all portions of the book and several items have been deleted as lacking confirmation, which was unavoidable in handling such a mixed race as the present day Barotse. I would also wish it to be fully understood that this work has been compiled by me, aided by my friends as mentioned before, but with no official assistance from the Administration, and this work must in no way be considered “Official” or “Approved by the British South African Co.” The information to be found in the book is however fairly accurate, in spite of not being written under the ægis of the Administration. Since finishing the book the death of the Paramount Chief Lewanika has occurred, and he has been succeeded in his position by his eldest son, Yeta, who has taken the title of Yeta II. Lewanika was a man of about 70 years of age, and had a hold on his people that no Murotse chief will ever have again. He will, for generations, be remembered as the chief who did most for the improvement and consolidation of his people. Lewanika travelled to England for the late King Edward’s coronation, and it was always a great delight to him to talk about the friends he made and the sights he saw while going to, staying in, and returning from England.