UBENA OF THE RIVERS, with a Chapter by Mtema Towegale Kiwanga and an Introduction by Dr. L.H. Dudley Buxton

First Edition. Illustrated with 5 black and white plates (including frontispiece), one black and white drawing, 2 folding maps and one folding pedigree chart of the Ubena royal line. 8vo, original royal blue cloth, lettered in gilt on the spine and in the scarce illustrated dustjacket. 444 (including index), 4 ads. An unusually fine copy, the dustjacket is well intact with three very small closed tears at the bottom edge. FIRST EDITION. This comprehensive volume is the product of a number of years spent by its husband and wife authorial team living with the African Ubena tribe and reflects the wish of the Bena elders for a permanent record of their tribal history and customs for posterity. It depicts all aspects of this tribe’s culture including social and tribal organisation, the practice of their religion, tribal medicine, daily life, and histories of their royal families. Of particular interest is the pedigree map of the royal line as well as the chapter authored by Mtema Towegale Kiwanga, the chief of the Ubena people, about the kingdom of the Wakinimana. "We have attempted to put before the reader not necessarily an exhaustive study but a balanced picture of the life and outlook of a typical Bantu tribe. We make no apology for the contradictions which the critic will no doubt have little difficulty in discovering, for we feel that this book is no more self-contradictory than real life in Africa, and it is real life and living people we have striven to portray." [authors’ preface].…