Welcome To Abercornucopia
Abercornucopia embraces a wide range of topics relating to the history of this extraordinary place in the heart of Central Africa that has been a cross road of people from prehistoric times through to the days of the slave trade, colonial settlement and Independence. Zambians, explorers, missionaries, Scots traders, colonial administrators and many more have paused and left their mark. Abercornucopia attempts to record them all.
Started in 1962, Abercornucopia was a monthly newspaper printed and published by the Lake Press Limited of Abercorn, Northern Rhodesia. This website documents all the 39 editions. They give a fascinating insight to daily life and events during this stirring period.
Watch Our Short Film
Click the play arrow in the middle of this photo to see clips from John Anton Smith's movie of Purple Nindi waving in the breeze and then arial shots of Abercorn, Mpulungu, and Lake Rukwa courtesy of Adam Malujlo. Also fine shots from John and from Adam's father Ted Malujlo,of dinghy racing on Lake Chila.
Recent Website Updates
New Images of Bismarkburg nowq Kasanga in Abercorn Galleries - Kasanga
Treaties with Chief Tafuna and other Ulungu Chiefs
Abercornucopia has been exploring how it came about that the British South Africa Company obtained title to large tracts of what was then called Ulungu at the southern end of Lake Tanganyika. We have obtained copies of the treaties Chief Tafuna and Chief Kitimbwa/Chitimbwa signed with British Consul Harry H. Johnston at the end of 1889.
These important documents are to be found in The National Archives at Kew in London. The African Lakes Company records from Glasgow University Archives show the Company’s relationship with both the BSACompany and the Missionary Societies.
New Photographs Uploaded
There are also many new images of pre-1920 Abercorn. These come from Malcolm Alexander whose uncle Claude Oldfield was an early Magistrate and from Harry Mantell whose father was Manager of Mandala Stores in the 1940s and 50s. There are also images from Jim McNeil one of the first Post Masters provided by Anita McCullough whose new book Jim’s Giraffe has just been published. This provides fascinating insights in the early days on the Tanganyika Plateaux.
Armistice Parade
On the 25th November 2018 MBALA Commemorated the Centennial of the last German surrender of the First World War with an excellent Armistice Parade held in the presence of President Lungu and many foreign and Zambian dignitaries.
The Armistice Ceremony was held at the War Memorial at the entrance to the town.
For a vivid first hand account of the surrender see Jarvis Murray's report of the German surrender at Abercorn in November 1918 please click the button below. You can also see new photographs in the galleries.