The Basuto

(London, Oxford University Press for the International African Institute, 1955). 8vo; original green cloth, lettered in gilt on spine; price-clipped dustwrapper (housed in removable protector); pp. xi + (i) + 355, incl. index; monochrome photographic plates; folding map. Dustwrapper slightly mottled, with trace of wear at head of spine panel; earlier owner's book label to front free endpaper, and an ownership hand-stamp to title page; occasional moderate foxing. Good condition. "This book, based largely on the author's personal experiences when living in the village of a Basuto Chief, provides the first systematic and comprehensive account of the Basuto people and their changing culture since the works of the French missionaries published early in the century. After a sketch of the historical and social background the author gives a detailed account of the daily lives and activities of the people, describing the upbringing and education of the children, initiation, marriage and funerary rites, economic and political development and the changes in the social structure caused by contact with modern commerce and industry, by the influence of missions and by political developments within and outside the country. Considerable space is devoted to a discussion of law and the working of native courts, to an account of medicine, magic and sorcery and to modern developments in the economic spheres. The recent outbreak of ritual murders and motives for them are touched on. The book is illustrated by many excellent photographs of different aspects of Basuto life." .