Carrier Corps, Malawi, ca. 1914-1918

Black and white lantern slide showing a train of African soldiers from the King's African Rifles. Some men are in uniform, others wear wraps around their waists and go bare chested or wear simple shirts. These less formally dressed men probably make up the Carrier Corp (locally known as "Tenga-tenga", which means "carry carry" or "take take") who carried equipment and supplies for the campaigns of the King's African Rifles. The men carry boxes and baskets, and items suspended from shoulder poles. A pith helmet marking out a European officer can be seen to the side of the picture. The Carrier Corps, an enlisted military support regiment, suffered some of the highest casualties in the First World War in East Africa and endured considerable suffering. Such forced involvement in a foreign war raised the political consciousness of many men treated in this way. This slide comes from a set on the activities of the King’s African Rifles battalions in Nyasaland. It was originally held by the Church of Scotland, and generated by J.W MacKay.