The Northern Rhodesia-Nyasaland Joint Publications Bureau

The Bibliography section of this Journal shows an increasing number of books which, whether written in African vernaculars or in English, are intended primarily to be for Africans rather than about Africans; and an increasing proportion are written by Africans. 'Notes and News' items mention Publications Bureaux to encourage African authors and arrange the production and distribution of books. Something is going on in Africa which may be of importance for the artistic and social life of the people, something more important than the formation of new Departments of Government. This article attempts to make a provisional assessment of what is going on; to consider the aims and functions of organizations for promoting African literature, and to arrive at some general principles; to get the work of these Publications (or Literature) Bureaux in perspective. It is based on experience in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, experience over some length of time, but perhaps rather parochial. The Government, while providing funds from Development and Welfare accounts, has happily avoided laying down any set of rules for the working of these Bureaux. A great deal of valuable guidance-all the more valuable for being brilliantly informal-was given to workers in Africa for many years by Margaret Wrong. The writer of this article has had the opportunity of seeing something of the work of the East Africa Literature Bureau and of discussion with Mr. C. G. Richards; these discussions discovered a surprising and pleasing range of independent agreement on principles to be followed (and misconceptions to be cleared) in East and Central Africa; some differences in conditions and therefore in suitable attack; and the need for more liaison

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