MAJOLA, A ZULU BOY

A day in the life of a Zulu boy living in a tribal village--a picture of peace, plenty and contentment (except when Majola, having neglected the cattle, is punished by being excluded from the circle by the evening fire). The injection of a small crisis into the day's doings is not convincing; even more suspect is the failure to mention that Majola and his family, presumably living on a Bantu reserve, are in effect wards of the state. Even on its own narrow terms, the book has certain deficiencies: the pictures don't always match the description, sometimes don't show what's going on at all. What we do see is something of the traditional way of life (diet, division of labor, tribal ceremonies) and a little of Majola at school. If that's enough for you, it's a pleasant enough offering.