Talk:Msiri

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[edit] Bloodthirsty Tyrant or Warrior King

In this article I've tried to place the negative views of Msiri which come chiefly from European sources in context, mindful that there are African views which are more positive. I think that if Msiri had signed the treaty with the CFS, he would have been rehabilitated in Belgian eyes at least, and they would have supported him militarily and shored up his kingship because of the legitimacy it would have conferred on their colonial rule. The Yeke/Garanganze would have been numerically greater and Msiri's successors would have been much more powerful in colonial Katanga. Such hindsight doesn't have a place in an encyclopedic article though.

The article could do with these additions which I haven't been able to track down:

• An illustration of Msiri. The one on the Kingmsiri website is, I think, a modern painting (the clothing looks modern), but perhaps the missionaries or members of other expeditions made sketches which have been published.
• What happened to Msiri's head? Was it taken back to Europe as some in Katanga think?
• More detail of Msiri's exploits, character and rule, particularly before the colonial expeditions started arriving.

Rexparry sydney 02:46, 14 May 2007 (UTC)