Kuper, Hilda

The Shona
book chapter 1954

Summary: Hilda Beemer Kuper was a social anthropologist most notable for her extensive work on Swazi culture. She started studying the Swazi culture and associating with the Swaziland's royal family after she was awarded with a grant by the International African Institute of London. She studied and illustrated Swazi traditions embodied in the political vision of King Sobhuza II, who later became a close friend. King Sobhuza II personally awarded Kuper with Swazi citizenship in 1970. Wikipedia
Gender or Sex: Female [1][3][4]; Unknown [2]
Born: 1911 [2]; 1911-08-23 [4]
Birth Place: Bulawayo [2]; Rhodesia [4]
Died: 1992 [2]; 1992-04-23 [4]
Death Place: Los Angeles, Calif. [2]; Los Angeles [4]
Country: Zimbabwe [2]
Language: English [3]
Occupation: anthropologist [4]
Employer: University of California, Los Angeles [4]
Educated at: London School of Economics and Political Science [4]; University of the Witwatersrand [4]
Country of Education: United Kingdom [4]; South Africa [4]
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Biography (requires subscription) [4]
Yale LUX: Entity [4]

Sources: 1. VIAF; 2. Deutsche Nationalbibliothek (Germany); 3. Bibliothèque nationale de France; 4. Wikidata

Last updated Jan 7, 2026