| Description | This collection consists of printed and manuscript song sheets of 'Songs of Nyasaland', printed hymns with African words, notes and correspondence relating to the collection of the songs by Ella Kidney. Photographs in the collection include Ella Kidney, African dancers, memorials to Dr David Livingstone and his wife and Dr Livingstone's nephew. There is also a collection of printed papers including copies of journals containing articles written by Ella Kidney, missionary publications and other material relating to Nyasaland. |
| Administrative History | Ella Kidney was the wife of A F Kidney of the African Lakes Corporation.and who became a founding member of the Legislative Council of Nyasaland, now Malawi, in 1909. The African Lakes Corporation was formed by a group of Scottish philanthropists to support the work of early missionaries of the Church of Scotland who had established missions at Lake Nyasa and Blantyre, by opening up communications routes from landlocked Nyasaland to the coast. The couple first went out to Africa in 1900 and lived and worked closely with the missionary staff for many years. During her time in Africa Ella Kidney became particularly interested in African music and started collecting the native songs she heard on her travels. She transcribed the music, translated the words and between 1921 and 1924 many of the songs were published by the CMS.
Source: Information gathered from the material in CMS/ACC661 |
| Custodial History | Deposited with the CMS October 1991 |