Less well known than the Zulu of South Africa, the warriors of East Africa had just as fearsome a reputation.
The prowess of the lion-hunting Masai deterred all foreign penetration for most of the 19th century. The Ngoni, driven north by the Zulu, revolutionized warfare in the region; the HeHe put up fierce resistance to German colonisers. The Ruga-Ruga produced two formidable warlords and adorned themselves with bloody trophies. The Nandi showed reckless bravery even against machine guns, and the Turkana dominated one of the most pitiless wildernesses in all of Africa.
This fascinating study, illustrated with rare early drawings and meticulous colour plates, covers these six most prominent tribes.
