This post carries a NSFW, Not Safe for Work, warning because one figure, a fictional African witchdoctor, refuses to wear pants.
I finished painting these figures a couple of weeks ago, but have just now gotten around to photographing them.
Mary Kingsley and Ujuwa
Mary Kingsley was a real person. She actually explored parts of Africa. She made two trips into West Africa, discovered previously unknown species of fish, and climbed Mount Cameroon. Her third trip, in 1900, was to South Africa during the Boer War where she worked as a nurse. It was on this trip that she contracted typhoid and died at the age of 38.
She was an outspoken critic of imperialist colonialism and the practices of most Christian missionaries, which may be why she isn’t as well-known as other explorers. I only learned of her from a game expansion from Tomahawk Games’ popular game Congo. As fast as games come and go these days, I’m lucky that I have copies of Congo and the expansion campaign, Mungo Mah Lobeh, the Throne of Thunder.
The expansion came with two 28mm figures, which I don’t think were ever available outside of the expansion set – a figure of Mary Kingsley and a figure of a fictional witchdoctor of the Fang people, Ujuwa. Both figures are by Wargames Foundry, but not as well sculpted as other figures in the Darkest Africa range.
Isobel Poppington
I don’t know if it started with Foundry’s Darkest Africa range, but there was a trend for a while among ranges of British figures to include a figure drinking tea. In North Star Military Figures’ Africa range, we find the explorer Isobel Poppington enjoying a cup of tea. It is a fun figure to paint.
I think what makes late Victorian figures fun to paint is that the closing decades of the 19th century and early 20th century was the explosion of color from new clothing dyes.
British Askari
Finally, I finished a pack of British Askari. “Askari” is a term for a native professional soldier, they were found in service of all of the colonial powers and many private companies. Quality of uniforms and equipment varied from unit to unit. These figures are from Wargames Foundry.
Summary
Sometime soon, I’m going to have to stop painting figures and play some games. I have some new ideas for a couple of Colonial Adventures or Fortunes Won and Lost campaigns. I especially want to game the conflict known as the War for Bazingbi’s Daughter, the war against Arab traders which united the Azande people into a kingdom.
With these eleven figures my total for painted figures this year is at 283.
- 14 – 28mm Science Fiction figures
- 17 – 28mm Modern Horror figures
- 8 – 28mm Interwar Pulp figures
- 9 – 28mm Old West figures
- 45 – 28mm Colonial Era figures
- 84 – 10mm Seven Years War figures
- 49 – 28mm Medieval figures
- 24 -28mm Amazon figures
- 33 – 28mm Fantasy figures
What’s that? You’ve never played a colonial period game? Rebel Minis and Two Hour Wargames have you covered with half a dozen different titles.
In the mood for a movie or two? Check out Zulu, 55 Days at Peking or King Solomon’s Mines.
Until next time, remember friends don’t let friends vote for fascists, Christian nationalists, or MAGA Republicans!
Atomic Floozy Adventures 