Old Africa magazine seeks to tell the story of East Africa’s past through well-written stories and vintage photographs. Founded in October 2005, the first issue featured a story about the Royal Navy’s ill-fated attempt to launch a naval presence on Lake Rudolph (now Lake Turkana) and an account of the Kedong Massacre. Since then the magazine has published stories and photos from Kenya’s diverse ethnic groups – African, Asian and European – to preserve East Africa’s history.
Thomson in Maasailand
Thomson in Maasailand Recently there have been articles in Old Africa about the Maasai, so it would be interesting to look at early European contacts with those peoples. In 1877 Maasai warriors had prevented Johann Maria Hildebrandt, a German botanist, from travelling...
Billiard Balls, Pianos and Elephants
Billiard Balls, Pianos and Elephants Before the invention of plastics, billiard balls, piano keys, combs and scores of other items were made of ivory. Playing the piano was called ‘tickling the ivories.’ More ivory was used for piano keys than for all other purposes...
The Shooting of little Willie Hall at Nairobi School in 1920
The Shooting of little Willie Hall at Nairobi School In 1920 William Harold Hall, an eleven-year-old boy boarding at Nairobi School, was shot dead in the school dormitory by another pupil. This sorry incident was reported to Viscount Milner, Secretary of State for the...