THE CAPACITY OF THE AFRICAN [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—In December, 1895, you published two articles on this subject, in which you stated that while the African had shown but little or no power of self-development or growth during the past 3,000 years, you considered the experiment of a steady and kindly rule and its " revivifying " effect had never been properly tried ; and in the second article you sug- gested that it would be a noble work for the English Quakers, " who are, as they acknowledge, a dying sect," before they expired, to try the experiment of what a benevolent, firm . rule could do to develop civilization and possibly Christianity among the slave population of the Island of Pemba in the British Protectorate of Zanzibar, where it was expected the slaves would shortly be .given their freedom.
You suggested that this " dying sect " should purchase the island from the Arab estate owners and be given the power of a Lieutenant-Governor. That they should avail themselves of the assistance of educated negroes from the U.S.A., and should prove that it was " possible under the absolute but kindly rule of the white man to give a dead heave upwards: to the African race, and at all events to develop in them civic virtues." Such an experiment should probably be tried for at least thirty years, and would be successful if it raised them to the level of ordinary Bengalee villagers. This suggestion, though not carried out in its entirety, was acted on to some extent. A clove estate called " Banani," on the Island of Pemba, was purchased by the Society of Friends in the year 1897, and a mission established to aid the slaves in obtaining their freedom to which, by the decree of 1897, they became entitled. The estate was, of course, to be worked by free labour and regular wag es paid to those who had previously been slaves.
Having lately had the opportunity of paying a friendly visit to this Mission, you may like to hear how the work has progressed, which will soon pass its thirtieth birthday. It was in January, 1897, that our first representatives landed in the island, which then contained a population of about 80,000 people. In the early years, before the legal status of slavery was abolished, the Mission aided more than 1,000 slaves to obtain their freedom papers, and many of these ex- slaves were glad to settle on " Banani " and cultivate the estate for a time until they were able to purchase small estates for themselves and become peasant proprietors.
With this free labour the estate has been so well developed that it now ranks among the best cultivated clove plantations in the Protectorate, its value having been increased by the planting of some thousands of young clove trees and coco- nuts, now coming into bearing.
Amongst the educational influences brought to bear, it may be mentioned that the work on the estate is always begun at daylight by a short, simple, Gospel service. This has led in time to some laying hold of the Christian Faith. About the same time homes were opened in Chaki-Chak, the principal town of the island, where boys and girls who had claimed their freedom and had no other home could live and be trained to become useful citizens. Out-stations and village schools have been opened in several centres, including two in the south of the island, now under the care of native Christians. Later the Universities' Mission and the Roman Catholics both came to Pemba. The latter have not made much headway, though a priest from Zanzibar still pays periodical visits. The Universities' Mission is doing good service in the north of the island, particularly among the Leper Colony there. The climate—hot and damp—though ideal for clove growing (and for mosquitos !) is not so good for Europeans, who need frequent furloughs if they are to maintain health, and before this was fully understood some four of the missionaries died in the service they loved.
What are the results ? Freedom has taken the place of slavery. The industry of the island, which consists mainly of growing cloves and coconuts for the manufacture of copra, flourishes. The ex-slave population, who do not have many children, tends to die out, and does not show so much keenness for education as some of the mainland tribes who have never been slaves. Labour, which was formerly imported by the slave dhow, now comes in freely on the Government steamer from the mainland, attracted by the good wages paid, particularly during the clove harvest, and the labourers return as freely as they come.
The Mission, working in friendly relations with the Govern- ment officials, has been able to co-operate in the establishment of " sobriety " in the island and in legislation laying down a right basis for Christian marriage. The number of those who have openly confessed Christ is not large and progress often seems slow, but two congregations assemble every Sunday for Christian worship, and the native members share in the responsibility of carrying on the work of the Church. A seed has been sown, and I think it is true to say your suggestion of 1895, now thirty years old, has borne fruit. I trust the dying sect " may be permitted to continue the experiment and carry it at any rate one stage further.—I am, Sir, &c.,
WILLIAM A. ALBRIGHT.
29 Frederick Road; Edgbaston.
[We hope that this narrative will be as interesting to our readers as it is to us. Long may the noble experiment con- tinue, and the " dying sect " evade death !—En. Spectator.]
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