This book explores the culture of migration that emerged in Malawi in the early twentieth century as the British colony became central to labour migration in southern Africa. Migrants who travelled to Zimbabwe stayed for years or decades, and those who never returned became known as machona – ‘the lost ones’. Through an analysis of colonial archives and oral histories, this book captures a range of migrant experiences during a period of enormous political change, including the rise of nationalist politics, and the creation and demise of the Central African Federation. Following migrants from origin to destination, and in some cases back again, this book explores gender, generation, ethnicity and class, and highlights life beyond the workplace in a racially segregated city. Malawian men and women shaped the culture and politics of urban Zimbabwe in ways that remain visible today. Ultimately, the voluntary movement of Africans within the African continent raises important questions about the history of diaspora communities and the politics of belonging in post-colonial Africa.

Zoe Groves is a lecturer in modern global, colonial, and postcolonial history at the University of Leicester, and a research associate at WISER, University of the Witwatersrand. Her research examines the social and cultural history of central and southern Africa, with a focus on migration, urbanisation and popular culture in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Zoe is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Southern African Studies. Her new research is a collaborative project on histories of dance in Africa.

Dr Tinashe Nyamunda from the University of Pretoria will be the discussant.

Tinashe Nyamunda is an Associate Professor in the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies at the University of Pretoria. Prior to joining the University of Pretoria, he worked at the University of Zimbabwe, University of the Free State, Sol Plaatje University and North West University. His main research interests are in the Economic History of Southern Africa, particularly the monetary history of colonial and post-colonial southern Africa. His work has examined regional economic dynamics and movements within Southern Africa. With Richard Saunders, he co-edited Facets of Power: Politics, Profits and People in Zimbabwe’s Blood Diamonds (2016). His forthcoming monograph is entitled Finance in Colonial Zimbabwe: Money, Sanctions and War Economy (Routledge, 2022).