In an odd codicil to his death, and in homage to his life’s work, two decades after the death of Livingstone, Scientific American reported on the tree in Chitambo village, in what is now Zambia, under which Livingstone’s heart was buried.

Livingstone's Grave at Old Chitambo.

Mr. Poulett Weatherley, an Englishman who has been for several years traveling in a leisurely manner in Central Africa, has recently explored Lake Bangweolo, and afterward visited Old Chitambo, where Livingstone's heart was buried. In a letter written to a friend at Zomba and published in the British Central Africa Gazette, Mr. Weather ley says: "I send you some leaves from a long way off—i.e., Livingstone's tree at Old Chitambo. After circumnavigating the lake I thought it a pity to leave the district without seeing Chitambo, so I trudged around the south of Bangweolo to the spot, crossing the Luapula about ten miles below Katapa, at a place called Kafufwe, where Glave crossed. From that point to the Mpundu tree I traveled his track. Neither the chief Chitambo nor the village of that name of Livingstone's day now exists. Chitambo, the late chief, lies on the south side of and under the same tree as Livingstone's heart, which is buried to the north of it. The village has been removed about ten miles to the west. The solitude of the spot is rather depressing, and I was rather glad to get away. The idea that the whole country to the south of the lake is nothing but a vast swamp is incorrect. There is certainly plenty of swamp, but also miles and miles of beautifully wooded country. Game there is but little of, as far as antelopes are concerned, the rinderpest having killed off nearly all. Elephants come out of the swamp during the rains, but when they come I hope to be elsewhere. I commence my return journey, via Mshota's, the day after to-morrow. I have taken photographs of the tree at Old Chitambo and one of the inscription.

It is a thousand pities that some attempt is not made by people at home, who are interested in Livingstone and his work in Africa, to prevent the exact spot where he died from being hopelessly lost sight of, as it will be in a very few years. When the poor old Mpundu tree falls through fire and decay—it is now fast becoming a mere shell—after having kept guard so faithfully all these years—a quarter of a century now—there is nothing to replace it. Nothing could possibly be more appropriate than the simple rugged tree standing over the spot—no monument could be more inexpressibly solemn—but unfortunately it cannot last forever. The Mpundu must go, and with it, unless prompt steps be taken, goes the knowledge of the site of Livingstone's last halting place. To me his grave in the Abbey is nothing to the Mpundu tree at Old Chitambo."

[Scientific American, February 14, 1874]

Fishes from Lake Tanganyika
From the article on Commander Verney Lovett Cameron’s expedition, put together by the Royal Geographical Society to bring assistance to Dr. David Livingstone.
Scientific American Supplement, May 19, 1877


Hairstyles and headdresses of men of Manyuema, a nation in the southern Congo basin
From the article on Commander Verney Lovett Cameron’s expedition, put together by the Royal Geographical Society to bring assistance to Dr. David Livingstone.
Scientific American Supplement, May 19, 1877

Nyangwé town, Congo
From the article on Commander Verney Lovett Cameron’s expedition, put together by the Royal Geographical Society to bring assistance to Dr. David Livingstone.
Scientific American Supplement, May 19, 1877


Hut in Lake Mohrya, Congo basin
From the article on Commander Verney Lovett Cameron’s expedition, put together by the Royal Geographical Society to bring assistance to Dr. David Livingstone.
Scientific American Supplement, May 19, 1877

1 Comments

1. 1. string_beery 11:55 PM 3/18/13

   "..to many his toil may appear fruitless, and the years of patient search, barren in directly useful results"
   
   that the above quote was included in SA's Livingstone obituary (1874) seems to suggest that SA may have agreed with the sentiment, at least in part, at the time (irrespective of the "martyr to science" note).
   
   does SA have a different opinion of Livingstone today?

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