The Rewriting of African History during the Scramble: The Matabele Dominance in Mashonaland

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Periodical article

Title:	The Rewriting of African History during the Scramble: The Matabele Dominance in Mashonaland
Author:	Ranger, Terence O.
Year:	1967
Periodical:	African Social Research
Issue:	4
Period:	December
Pages:	271-281
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zimbabwe
Subjects:	history colonialism History and Exploration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Abstract:	Political pressures during the scramble for Matabeleland and Mashonaland have affected the historical accurracy of some of the contemporary written evidence. Even men of integrity were often prepared to put their concept of national interest before regard for historical truth. In particular, F.C. Selous, one of the prime authorities for Southern Rhodesia in the late 19th century, is shown to have altered his public estimate of the extent of Matabele power in Mashonaland after his interests became identified with those of the Chartered Company. In his influential 'Travels and adventures in South-East Africa' (1892) he suppresses material which might have tended to show some Shona chiefs as being independent of Lobengula, thus restricting the operation of the Rudd Concession. Further evidence shows that Selous and others even after the occupation did not privately accept Lobengula's claim to northern and eastern Mashonaland. References; notes.