Harold M. (Harold Morrow) Sherman
Tahara Among African Tribes
"Tahara Among African Tribes" by Harold M. Sherman is an adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Dick Oakwood, a boy who inadvertently becomes a king of a Stone-Age tribe known as the Taharans after being separated from an expedition in Africa. In the opening, we see him navigating the challenges of leadership and tribal dynamics amidst tensions from rival tribes and the emergence of modern threats. The beginning of the narrative introduces Dick Oakwood, who is affectionately known as "Tahara" by the tribe, as he grapples with superstitious beliefs and the realities of tribal warfare after encountering a mysterious pair of binoculars that his companion Raal perceives as a demon. The dynamics within the tribe reveal a mixture of admiration and fear toward Dick as he tries to earn their respect and drive away fears perpetuated by the tribal witch-doctor, Cimbula. As he successfully defends the tribe from an external threat, the story sets the stage for his journey of transforming these Stone-Age warriors into a people of peace and progress while battling both tribal feuds and his own cultural clashes.