For the first time, autobiographical notes of an African on his own psychosis are presented in print. Mr. Tanka's experiences are related to problems of his environment, characterized by cultural change. Information on his tribe, the Menka, and psychiatric comments provide the necessary background for the notes. The course of Mr. Tanka's illness, followed for twelve years, illustrates results of the International Pilot Study on Schizophrenia (IPSS) of the WHO that schizophrenia in patients from traditional cultures often has a favourable prognosis.