Massowia von Prince (Haywood) – Appreciation

Massowia von Prince (Haywood)

It was one of those chance encounters – on a train – and a friendship developed. Knowing her history, linked with World War 1 in Africa, and her interest in the past, we discussed her writing a book. The result is Tanganyika, Country of my Birth – which she illustrated as well. The front cover, however, is a painting by her father.
Massowia was born in Tanganyika (today Tanzania) during WW2 to German parents, although never spoke the language at home – Swahili and English were the languages of the day until she was sent to school. She shares the challenges of sisal farming, breaking virgin ground, exploitation by others after personal gain at the expense of others, life with an interned father and the pressure this put on her mother and making ends meet, ending with her marriage and leaving Tanganyika.
As with others brought up in multi-lingual environments, Massowia’s language and style is richly flavoured – capturing the essence of the time and place in which she grew up. She now lives in Britain.