The short-lived rebellion of 1915 was led by John Chilembwe, a Baptist minister trained in the USA. This book contains the testimonies presented to the Commission of Inquiry. Together, they are a source for understanding the causes and character of the Rising and throw light on social and economic relations in early colonial Malawi.

Born in Scotland, John McCracken studied history as an undergraduate and postgraduate at Cambridge. In 1964, while completing his PHD, he taught briefly at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and made his first extended research visit to Malawi. The next year he joined the new History Department, headed by Terence Ranger, at the University College of Dar es Salaam where he worked for four years. In 1969 he came to Stirling University where he introduced African history and served as founding Director of the Centre of Commonwealth Studies. He was Professor of History at Chancellor College, University of Malawi, 1980-1983 and returned as Visiting Professor in 2008. He is a past President of the African Studies Association from whom he received the award of Distinguished Africanist in 2008.

• Introduction


• Section 1


• Rumours of Revolt


• Section 2


• Malawian Testimonies


• Section 3


• W J Livingstone, Magomero and the Bruce Estates


• Section 4


• 'The Effects of Mission Teaching on the Native Mind^


• Section 5


• Revolts on the Periphery: Zomba, Mlanje and Ncheu


• Section 6


• Female Witness Statements


• Section 7


• Nyasaland Rising Commission Report