Kilimanjaro and its People: a History of the Wachagga, their Laws, Customs, and Legends, together with some Account of the Highest Mountain in Africa

Abstract

KILIMA NJARO has had a varied influence on the JN^ history of East Africa. After its discovery by Rebmann in 1848, its problems and the incredulity with which European geographers received the statement that it is snow-capped led to several of the first European journeys into this part of Africa. The sentimental interest felt in the mountain by the German Emperor was one of the determining factors in the demarcation of the Anglo-German boundary. The relative accessibility of this mountain and the beauty of its scenery has led to its repeated exploration. The latest contribution to its literature is a volume by the Senior Commissioner of Tanganyika Territory, Mr. Dundas, who states in the preface that study of the district and its people was compelled by the spell of the mountain more than by his own interest in research. His first chapter summarises the history of the exploration of the mountain and its glaciers, and reports that their rapid diminution in size since they were first mapped by Hans Meyer in 1887 and 1889 still continues. There is little direct reference to the geological structure and none to the interesting rocks of which the mountain is composed. The author makes for Kilima Njaro the surprising claim that it is the highest point of the British Empire !;

Kilimanjaro and its People: a History of the Wachagga, their Laws, Customs, and Legends, together with some Account of the Highest Mountain in Africa.

By the Hon. Charles Dundas. Pp. 349 + 16 plates. (London: H. F. and G. Witherby, 1924.) 18s. net.