Originally published in 1951 this book is a study of village system in southern Tanzania, which at the time of publication was thought to be unique. Each village consisted not of a group of kinsmen but an age-set: a group of male contemporaries, together with their wives and young children. The book is concerned with the structure of these villages and the values expressed in them.

Originally published in 1959, this book includes detailed accounts of Nyakyusa traditions of origin,  osmology and moral values, often in direct quotations from informants, while part of the book is devoted to a description of Christian missions, the growth of African churches and the conflict between pagan and Christian ethics and practices. The analysis of the effects of cchanges in the social and economic structure on the one hand, and religious beliefs and practices on the other, makes this a study of enduring relevance.

Originally published in 1957, analyses the rituals celebrated by groups of kinsmen on the occasion of births, marriages and deaths within the age villages of the Nyakyusa. the connection between the form of the rituals and the kinship structure is examined. The symbolism of the rituals throws great light on the psychological reactions of this African people to death and birth, sin and misfortune, expiation and reconciliation.

Originally published in 1977, this volume completes with a wealth of case material and against the background of a whole century, Monica Wilson's detailed study of the Nyakyusa-Ngonde people of Tanzania and Malawi. The unusual age-village system for which the Nyakyusa are well known has broken down under the economic presures of the prohibition of cattle raiding, lad shortage and labour migration and the changing values of the 20th century. The book traces the roots of these developments which are parallelled in many parts of Africa and emphasize the zig-zag nature of the path of social...