Sunshine and Storm in Rhodesia Being a Narrative of Events in Matabeleland Both Before and During the Recent Native Insurrection Up to the Date of the Disbandment of the Bulawayo Field Force

"Sunshine and Storm in Rhodesia" by Frederick Courteney Selous is a historical narrative that recounts events in Matabeleland leading up to and during the late 19th-century native insurrection. The book primarily focuses on the author's personal experiences and observations as he navigates the tumultuous landscape of colonial Rhodesia, highlighting significant themes of colonialism, indigenous resistance, and the complexities of inter-racial relations. The opening of the book establishes the backdrop of the author’s return to Matabeleland after a period in England, filled with expectations of prosperity and stability. However, as he details his journey and the early days on his property in Essexvale, foreboding signs begin to emerge. Selous describes the uneasy coexistence with the indigenous population, alongside hints of rising tensions, superstitions, and rumors of impending rebellion, setting the stage for the violent conflict that follows. The narrative is rich with anecdotal evidence, including the author’s various encounters with local chiefs and the unfolding of the insurrection, providing a gripping look into the sociopolitical dynamics at play during a pivotal time in Southern African history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Frederick Courteney Selous, DSO was a British explorer, officer, professional hunter, and conservationist, famous for his exploits in Southeast Africa. His real-life adventures inspired Sir Henry Rider Haggard to create the fictional character Allan Quatermain. Selous was a friend of Theodore Roosevelt, Cecil Rhodes and Frederick Russell Burnham. He was pre-eminent within a group of big game hunters that included Abel Chapman and Arthur Henry Neumann. He was the older brother of the ornithologist and writer Edmund Selous.