Book Description

Title:

On the Threshold of Central Africa: A Record of Twenty Years' Pioneering among the Barotsi of the Upper Zambesi

Author:

François Coillard [1834-1904]

Publication Year:

1897

Location:

London

Publisher:

Hodder & Stoughton

Pages:

793

Subjects:

Christian Mission, South Africa, François Coillard, Autobiography

Copyright Holder:

Public domain

Contents

• Author's Preface to the English Reader
• Note
• The Banyaï Expedition

1. Off to Banyaï-land—Preparations for Departure—Visit to Natal—English Farmers—Return to Leribe—Conference at Morija—Evangelists chosen—Farewell to Leribe—Harrysmith—Arrival at Pretoria—British Proclamation—Mr. Bosman—British Soldiers—The Bush Veldt—Kindness of Boers—Goedgedacht—Valdezia—MM. Creux and Berthoud—Mr. Hofmeyr's Work—Volunteers from his Congregation—Departure from Goedgedacht
2. On the Banks of the Limpopo—Palm Tree Fountain—Crossing the Crocodile River—Lions—Arrival in Banyaï-land—The Chief Nyamonto—Adventures at Masonda's Mountain—Cattle carried off—A Great Deliverance—Messengers sent from Maliankombé at Nyanikoë to Lobengula
3. Alone among the Banyaï—Treacherous Cowards-Carried to Bulawayo —Cattle reslored-Lobengula's Captives—An Embarrassing Interview—A Mouth's Probation—Permission for Banyaï Mission refused—Mission to Mozila proposed—Alternative Plans—The North Bank of the Zambesi proposed—Sickness and Discouragement—Lobengula's Second and Final Refusal—Dismissal
4. Departure from Matabele-land—Final Interview with Lobengula—Misery of Africa—Ferocious Character of the Matabele—Barrenness of Mission Work—Tati Gold Fields—"Ruined Cities"—Ethnological Problems—Sickness in Camp—Accidents on the Road—Arrival at Khama's Town—Warm Welcome—Khama's Character and Government—Missionary Meeting—Future Plans discussed—Decision to go to Barotsi-land
5. Expedition to the Barotsi Valley—Desert Journey—False Guides—No Water—Liponkoe (L.M.S.)—Arrival at Leshoma—Victoria Falls—Sesheke—Making Acquaintance with Barotsi Chiefs—Their Cordiality—Barotsi Politics—Livingstone's Traces—Breaking Ground —First Gospel Preaching—Return to Leshoma—Lions—Death of Khosana—Return to Sesheke—King requests Missionaries to come back soon—Death of Eleazar—Of Bushman—Major Serpa Pinto
6. Shoshong to Valdczia—Seeking a Temporary Field for Basuto Catechists—Khama's Kindness—Seleka—Adventures near the Blaanwberg—Mr. Stech's Station—Mr. Hofmeyr's—Sickness and Death at Valdezia—Mochache's—A Sad Journey—Pretoria and PotchefstroomWelcome to the Expedition—The Treck-menschen—Evangelists sent to Selcka—Bad News from Barotsi-land—Decision to visit France—State of Leribé—Journey to the Cape—Arrival in Europe
7. London—The Whirlpool—A Reminiscence—Coffee Palaces and Cabmen—Mildmay Conference—The Sunday-School Festival—-Pleading the Cause of Africa—Molapo's Death—A Contrast
   
   The Barotsi Expedition
   
   
8. The Return to Africa—Arrival at the Cape—The Huguenot Schoo—lStellenbosch—Wellington—Natal—Travelling New Style and Old Style—A Trying journey—Arrival at Leribé—Disastrous Effects of the War—jubilee of the S.M.E.P.—Disappointments—Tour with M. Jeanmairet among the Churches—An Appeal lo the Friends of Missions—Arrival of the Weitzeckers-Departure from Leribé
9. Across the Transvaal to Shoshong—A Trying Journey—Difficulties at Pretoria—Duties remitted—General Joubert in a New Role—Prospects of Scarcity—The Staff of the Expedition—Bad Roads—Saul's Poort—Delay and Losses at the Marico—Aaron's Arrival—Shoshong—Seleka—A Baptism there—Return to Shoshong—Generosity of Khama and his People—Messages from Barotsi-land—The Port—Starting again
10. Shoshong to Leshoma—Kané—Cold—Khama's Envoys to Robosi—Coillard's Fiftieth Birthday—Pata-matenga—The Jesuits' Mission—Their Kindness—Difficulties of the Joumey—Waddell—Aaron-Levi—Leshoma—A Pilgrimage
11. Se-sheke and Leshoma—Retrospects—A Heavy Washing Day—Arrival at the Zambesi Ford—No Response—Return to Leshoma—Explanations—A Matabele Scare—The Market at Leshoma—Mission Work—Messengers to fetch Missionaries—Hospitality at Sesheke—Start for the Capital—Revolution—New Delay—Ben's Troubles—Making Nets—Return to Leshoma—Zambesian Languages-A Boy for Sale—Departure of the Basuto—Life at Leshoma—M. Coillard and Aaron to Sesheke and Back—Akufuna chosen King—Sends to fetch Missionaries—Fever—Darkest Africa—Lavishness of Traders—Journey to Sesheke—Studies in Philology—A Direful Discovery—"The Chiefs in my Pocket"
12. First Journey to the Capital—A Prosperous Voyage—Camping on the Banks—The Rapids of Death—Pirates and Brigands—Ngonye Falls—The Barotsï Valley—A Royal Tomb—Nalolo and Queen Maïbiba Lealuyi—An Official Reception—Inspecting a Site—A Night Adventure—Respect of the Barotsi for the Basuto—Return to Sesheke—Death of Aaron's Daughter—Leshoma once more—A Dark Prospect Disasters with the Post and the Draught Oxen—To our Collaborators
13. Winter at Leshoma—Kamburu and Nguana—Ngombé—Soap—making—Neighbourly Intercourse with the Jesuits—Fresh Political Troubles and Delays—A Bargain in Goats—British Protectorate of Khama's Country—Engagement of Mlle. Coillard to M. Jeaumairet—The Passage of the Zambesi—Life at Kazungula—Death of Little Monyar—Arrival at Sesheke—The Jesuits—Dr. Holub-Revolution and Civil War—Treachery and Robbery—Perils of Waters and Perils of Wild Beasts—Marriage of Elise Coillard and M. Jeanmairet—A Wedding Party under Difficulties—Building the Station—A Reign of Terror—Middleton sent to Pretoria
14. Second Journey to the Capital--A Zambesian Charybdis—The Hunter's Paradise—Boat lost in the Rapids—Vandalism—Nalolo and Queen Mokwaë—An Unexpected Meeting—King Lcwanika—Lealuyi—Visit of the Chief Moremi—The Barotsi Lekothla—Conversation with the King—Barotsi Legends—The Natamoyo—Sunday Service—Back to Sesheke—Visit to Mambova—Murder and Cattle-lifting—An Appeal—Middleton returns from Pretoria—Dr. Holub
15. Third Journey to the Valley—Sesheke to Sefula by Land—The Vanguard with Waggons—Nguana-Ngombe—The Morantsiane—Progress under Difliculties—The Tse-tse Fly—Refractory Servants—-Kalangu—An Eclipse of the Sun—Dr. Holuh's Disaster—Njoko—A Catastrophe—The Lumbé River—A Vision—Depopulated Districts—Misfortunes never come singly-A Rare Treat—The Motondo River—The Forest of Thirst—The Ruyi River—A Conjuration—Sefula Springs—Hidden Riches of Vegelation—Matsa-Sefula at Last
16. The Station of Sefula—Clearing the Gronnd—Lewanika's Palace—Industry of the Barotsi—Departure to fetch Mme. Coillard—The Thief of Time—An Ardent Sportsman—Justice at Sesheke—The Shadow of the Almighty—The Source of Weakness—A Ten Years' Pilgrimage—An Anxious Parting—Prosperous Journey to Sefula—Miseries of the Vassal Tribes—A Natural Phenomenon—Rapid Progress of Mission Buildings—The King's Tribute—A Visit from Lewanika
    
    At Sefula
    
    
17. Beginnings of the Work at Sefola—A Council at Lealuyi—The Barotsi's View of Missions—The Execution of a Sorcerer—The Marriage Question—Poison v. Bloodshed—The House Built—School established— Difficulties of Discipline—Trial by Ordeal—"Thou shall not kill"—The Missionary's Daily Life—Industrial Skill of the Barotsi—Their Character—Arrival of Reinforcements—Plots and Counterplots—MM. Dardier and Goy—An Equestrian Adventure—A Tragedy
18. Barotsi on the War-path—A Cattle Raid in Prospect—"To the Mashukulumboe!"—A Full-dress Parade—On the March—The Prophetess—Break-up of the School—Thieves—Fate of the Rebel Mathaha and of the loyal Tahalima—"The Commune"—False Reports
19. The Return of the Army—Its Reception at the Capital—Distribution of Loot—"She"—Death of Dr. Dardier and the Jalias' Baby—Rellections and Hardships—The Basuto Evangelists—The Spirit of Missions—The King's Diplomatic Illness—Divining Bones—Blossoms in the Desert—Nguana-Ngombé's Confession of Faith—Visit of Mr. Selous—"Lost 'Whites"
20. A Visit to Lealuyi—Famine at the Capital—A Memorable Pitso—The King proposes to place the Country under British Protection—A Storm—Liomba the Scapegoat—Mme. Coillard and the Barotsi Women—The King's Daughters as Mission Pupils—Difiiculties of Evangelisation—Departure of Aaron, Levi, and M. Goy—Alone at Sefula—Mad Dogs
21. A Serious Talk with Lewanika—Queen Mokwaë—Ex-queen Maïbiha—At Death's Door—Improvement in the School—Sickness and Mortality—Hostility at Nalolo—Break-up of the School—The Mokwe Tunga and his Troubles—Nalolo to Lealuyi-—The Nalikuanda—A Prodigal's Return—Losses of Cattle—A Mining Concession
22. A Journey from Sefula to Sesheke—Nalolo and Queen Mokwaë—A Hard Soil—How to reach the Zambesi Women—Seema—An Anniversary—Entertainments at the Bivouac—Sesheke-Kazungula—A Conference—The Return—Unpacking Cases—A Letter from Lewanika
23. Still alone at Sefnla—The School—Nyondo the Moshukulumboe—Litia, the Heir-apparent—A Sale of Books—Lewanika's Efforts to put down Crime—The Canal begun—New Year's School Feast—Royal Visitors—A Picnic—First Concession to the British South African Company—"The evil that you hinder"—Prohibition of Slave-dealing and Intoxicants—M. Adolphe Jalla—Nguana—Ngombe's Baptism—A Visit from the British South African Company's Agent—Native Intrigues and Suspicions—History of the Negotiations—The Treaty Signed—Terms of the Concession—Delimitation of the Barotsi Frontier—Khama's Embassy—The European Mail—The Station on fire
24. A Journey to Seshcke—Losses of Cattle and Waggons—M. Jeanmairet's Illness and Departure for Basuto-land—Arrival of Mlle. Kiener—Difficulty of Obtaining Canoes—Kazungula-Death of the Jallas' Second Child—Litia's Courage and Progress—The Absence of the Marriage Tie among the Barotsi—Infanticide—The Tyranny of Custom— A City of Refuge—Progress—An Ox to sell-Return to Sefula—Difficulties of Transport—Litia's Departure for Morija
25. Dark Days—Political Calumnies—The Floods—Narubutu and the Conservatives—Temporary Capital at Sana—A Royal Water-party—Easter Sunday—A Visit to the King and Queen—Revival of Thieving in the School—A Sad Story—A Visit from the Jallas—Levity of the Zambesians—A Hunting Expedition—Death of the Only Horse—A Clever Thief and his Punishment—"Alexander the Coppersmith"—The Primitive Methodist Mission—"The Terror of the King"
26. The Death of Mme. Coillard—Her Last Visit to the Capital—Litia's Confession of Faith—Her Last Illness—"Do be in earnest, do!"—The Burial-place—Sympathy of the Barotsi—The Firstfruits of the Harvest—A Little Slave-boy—Nyondo—Queen Victoria confirms the Agreement of the Chartered Company—A Deficit
27. De Profiundis—A Visit to Lealuyi—The Yellow Heart of the Barotsi—Painful Defections—Dr. Johnston—Arrival of Paulus—The Methodist Mission—A Thunderstorm—Plan for a Station at the Capital—An Appeal
28. Rays of Comfort-—Disappearance of "Alexander the Coppersmith"—Degrading Superstition—The Primitive Methodists—Sympathy—A Reminiscence of Mme. Coillard—The Joy of Pentecost—"Enquirers"—Ten Men wanted
29. Distresses and Deliverances—In a Canoe to Lealuyi—Good Reception —Military Ceremonies—A Camp Meeting—Sunday at the Capital—A Slave Market—How long?
    
    Lealuyi
    
    
30. Lealuyi at last—A Double Anniversary—The Fourth Station founded—The Small-pox—The Kingdom of Darkness—The Plagues of Egypt—The Fighting-ants—Lewanika's Vacillations—The Stations boycotted—The Blockade raised—Warriors decorated
31. The Interdict withdrawn—A Coup d'État-Warriors decorated—Building Operations—Lewanika's Skill in Handicrafts—Christmas at Sefula—A Hurricane—Mashukulumboe-land opened to the Gospel—Painful Defections—Litia and Andreas—Mackay of Uganda—"Quit you like men"
32. Clearances at Loatile—Forced Sales—A Royal Bargainer—A New Boycott—The League of Prayer: A Final Victory—Women attending Church at last—Opening of the School—Course of Instruction—The Church—The Causeway—Mokwae's Magic Sovereign—Emulation—Mr. Waddell's Devotion—Lay-helpers
33. The Mail lost—The Primitive Methodist Missionaries—Absence of Skilled or Unskilled Labour—Procuring Thatch-Construction of the Causeway—The Bridge—Termites again—An Important Question of Fashion in Beads—The Rainy Season—The Water-supply—The Abyssinian Well—A Terrible Disappointment—The Matabele Invasion—Faint-hearted Patriots
34. Fall of the Matabele Kingdom—Levity of the Barotsi—A Royal Weathercock—House-to-House Visitations—Prisoners—A Sad Story—Queen Mokwaë's Visit-A Lesson in Good Manners—Il faut souffvir pour être belle—Dedication of the Church—A Festival—Lewanika's Oratory—The King as a School Inspector—A School Treat—Drastic Discipline—The.Chief Sinde—The Great Flood—Matindis—Flight of the Natives—Their Return—The Goliath of Paganism
35. Arrival of M.and Mme. Beguin—Conference at Kazungula—Hopeful Prospects—Journey from the Capital to Kazungula—Projected Journey to Basuto-land—An Appeal for Medical Missionaries—Sixtieth Birthday—The Victoria Falls—The Plain on Fire—Sefula forsaken—An Awakening of Consciences at last—Lewanika and his Converted Wife—Hindrances in starting for Basuto-land—lnauguration of the Station at Nalolo—The Waggon breaks down—Renunciation of the Journey—A Work of God—Litia's Prefecture at Kazungula—His Repentance
36. A Parish Visitation—The King's Mother—Two Staunch Conservatives—The Resurrection—Wina and the Question of Polygamy—Hugging their Chains—A Royal Baby—A Little Prisoner—Photography under Difficulties—Nyondo's Wedding—Christian v. Heathen Marriage—Paulus's Zeal outruns Discretion—"Before Governors and Kings"—The Christians acquitted—Sickness—The Water-supply—The Bible School begun—The New Year
37. The Drought-Medical Missions—M. and Mme. Beguin at Nalolo—A Visit to Sefula—Locusts—The return of a Prodigal (Mokamba) A Bible-woman—A Real Awakening—Average Rainfall—Royal Pretensions
38. A Missionary Exploration—Liomba (Mokamba's) Escort—Katuramoa—The Oracle—A Sturdy Protest—Libonda—Memories of Livingstone—A Little Missionary—Lepakaë—The King's Messengers—Hornless Cattle—The Mamboë Tribe—A "Son of Thunder"—The King's Canal—Confluence of the Kabombo—Bread upon the Waters—Customs of the Balunda and Balubale—Siyonda—The Chief Sindé—His Hospitality—A Halt at Mosoaudunga's—The Rapid's of Sapuma—Short Commons—An Inhospitable Neighbourhood—Kakenge's—A Rude Reception—Famine—A Trial of Faith—A Wonderful Deliverance—Tragic comedy—Conversion of Boatmen—Return to Lealuyi
39. Serious lllness—A journey South—Lewanika's Farewell—Death of Seonyi—MM. Gibbons, Reid, and Bertrand—A Retrospect—A Grave in the Wilderness—Bulawayo—-A Contrast—A Forecast—The Matabele Rising—The Rinderpest—Mafeking—Kimberley—Cape Colony—The Dutch Mission—The Drummond Castle—Farewell to Africa

• Conclusion
• Glossary
• Index

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