Page 52 - SoMJ Vol 74 - No 1, 2021

42 The Society of Malaŵi Journal

Sikh NCOs and sepoys parading at Kota Kota boma before setting
of on the Mwasi campaign. To the fore is the Zanzibari Sergeant Major Ali
Kiongwe.
The head in a solar topi to the rear left, peering over the Sikhs’
shoulders, is that of Lieutenant Alston. Alston was 1·7m (5ft 7ins) tall, which
brings into sharp focus the formidable height of the turbaned Sikhs.
From an original Alston photo in the writer’s collection upon the
back of which Alston identifies himself, the occasion and location. Note the
stakes inserted into the top of the boma wall, criss-crossed with barbed wire.

The first camping ground was at Chanyika, and at this place Mr. Swann
requested me to proceed and destroy an outlying village belonging to the Yao
chief Liwewa. The chief in question had sent insulting messages to Mr. Swann
when on a former journey through the district, and on this occasion in answer to
a message from Mr. Swann, had replied that he wished to have nothing to do with
the white man. I accordingly took with me a small force of Atonga together with
a few Sikhs and sacked and burnt the village. There were no casualties on either
side most of the inhabitants escaping; a few men and women were taken and
handed over to Mr. Swann, as were also the captured goats and sheep.
th
On the next day, the 27 ult. we entered the forest and at about 12 noon
the river Bua was reached. The passage of the river occupied two hours. Owing
to the rain, the river was very full and the rushing past of the water over the rocks
rendered the crossing exceedingly difficult. By the aid of a native rope, however,