Content note: Some of the language and ideas below are considered inappropriate and unacceptable today. The original wording has been preserved here to accurately represent our records and to help us understand the past. Please take as much care as required or seek support where needed they can cause an emotional reaction.
Two photographs of shows produced by Chief Luale. Source 6a circa 1930-1933 and 6b circa 1934, [Joan Robson (nee Luale) Personal archive]. Source 6b is entitled: ‘Luale presents Chief Nyambi in ‘Savage Africa’. Real African Natives introducing weird dances, mysteries of the jungle etc. Something to instruct , unite and educate.’
These photographs relate to Bulaya’s life as a ‘showman’. In source 6a Chief Luale directed the group. In source 6b he is presenting the group and in the centre of the photograph.
- What has Bulaya called these two different events?
- Why do you think the productions are described in this way?
- How are different cultures portrayed at each event?
- What do both photographs and the language used to describe these productions reveal about British attitudes to (a) different cultures (b) the British empire at that time?
- What light do the photographs shed on the life of Bulaya?
- What do the sources infer about popular entertainment at that time?
- Find out when ‘Northern Rhodesia’ became the Republic of Zambia, ending 73 years of British rule. Who was the first president of the new republic?