A History of Malawi: 1859-1966

This is the first comprehensive history of Malawi during the colonial period. Using a wide range of primary and secondary sources, John McCracken places this history within the context of the pre-colonial past. Central themes are the shaping of the colonial economy, the influence of Christianity, resistance to colonial occupation and the rise of a powerful nationalist movement that contained within it the seeds of a new authoritarianism. In particular, the author demonstrates the interrelationship between environmental and economic change and the impact these forces had on the Malawian peasantry. Space is also given to less mainstream activities including the creation of dance societies, the eruption of witchcraft eradication movements and the emergence of football as a popular sport.