The Awakening of the Central African 



This was situated about one hundred and eighty 

 miles from the south end of the lake on its west 

 side, and was found healthier and more central. 



It is impossible in these pages to trace the 

 history of the Mission through its varied labours, 

 except to say that the United Free Church 

 Mission were the pioneers of missionary work in 

 North- East Rhodesia, and also deserve the credit 

 of subduing the wild Angoni, or 'Ngoni tribe. 



When the headquarters were moved to Bandawe 

 Dr. Laws visited Angoniland and established friendly 

 relations with Mobera, the chief, and his war-like 

 people. The Angoni, also known as Mzitu, are an 

 offshoot of the great Zulu nation ; their ancestors 

 revolted from Tshake early in the nineteenth 

 century. 



At this time their superstitions were appalling, 

 witchcraft cast a dreadful spell over their lives ; 

 they had no hope of a better life to lighten their 

 darkness or relieve their sufferings. A start was 

 made by sending amongst them a Kaffir evangelist, 

 named William Koyi, who was able to speak 

 their language. He was followed shortly after — 

 in 1882 — by Dr. Laws and Dr. Hannington. 

 Twenty years of earnest work has altered this 

 people beyond recognition, even by their own 

 missionaries, for to-day three hundred native 

 teachers preach every Sunday, three thousand 

 learners are attending baptism classes, schools 

 muster fifty-five and are well attended ; slave trading 

 is no more, the Angoni warrior raids are at an end ; 

 the old and infirm are no longer given to wild 



295 



