Indigenous people of southern Africa Archives - Page 4 of 5

Letters of the American Missionaries, 1835-1838

Letters of the American Missionaries, 1835-1838

admin2020-10-06T05:54:29+00:00July 25th, 1950|

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was one of the last missionary societies to begin work in South Africa. Since the Cape Colony was well-populated with missionaries, the Americans concentrated initially on the Matabele in the Transvaal, and on Natal. Their arrival coincided with the Great Trek and Boer expansion north and east so they were well placed to observed developments in Voortrekker society and its impact on indigenous societies.

The Chronicle of Jeremiah Goldswain, Albany Settler of 1820: Vol. I

The Chronicle of Jeremiah Goldswain, Albany Settler of 1820: Vol. I

Danie De Villiers2020-10-06T09:02:24+00:00October 20th, 1946|

Jeremiah Goldswain's journals, written phonetically in his mid-English dialect, have been a source of interest to linguists as well as historians. A sawyer from Buckinghamshire, Goldswain migrated to the Eastern Cape in 1820. The first part of his journal describes the early difficulties of the settlers on the frontier

Mentzel, O.F. – A geographical-topographical description of the Cape of Good Hope. Part III

Mentzel, O.F. – A geographical-topographical description of the Cape of Good Hope. Part III

admin2020-10-08T20:49:05+00:00July 25th, 1944|

In this third volume of Mentzel's account of life at the Cape he travelled into the interior, to Stellenbosch and Swellendam. He comments on agriculture and viticulture, as well as hunting. The final chapters discuss the Khoi inhabitants.

The Narrative of Private Buck Adams, 7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards on the Eastern Frontier of the Cape of Good Hope, 1843-1848

The Narrative of Private Buck Adams, 7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards on the Eastern Frontier of the Cape of Good Hope, 1843-1848

admin2019-12-18T07:39:01+00:00July 25th, 1941|

An unusual account of military life on the Eastern Frontier from the perspective of a common soldier. Adams wrote his account in 1884, forty years after his service in South Africa. The editor observes that 'His improbable tales have proved substantially true on investigation'. He served in the War of the Axe and the action at Zwart Koppies in the Orange Free State.

The Diary of Dr Andrew Smith, director of the ‘Expedition for exploring Central Africa’, 1834-6; Vol. II

The Diary of Dr Andrew Smith, director of the ‘Expedition for exploring Central Africa’, 1834-6; Vol. II

admin2022-08-22T12:20:43+00:00July 25th, 1940|

The second volume of Smith's diary picks up the expedition with descriptions of Baralong social life. The party travelled through the northern Cape to Mafeking and onto Mosega. Subsequently they trekked east and then returned to Cape Town, via Mzilikazi whom they visited for the second time. The diary includes extended accounts of wild life as well as the customs of the African peoples they encountered.

The Diary of Dr Andrew Smith, director of the ‘Expedition for exploring Central Africa’, 1834-6; Vol. I

The Diary of Dr Andrew Smith, director of the ‘Expedition for exploring Central Africa’, 1834-6; Vol. I

admin2022-08-22T12:21:25+00:00July 25th, 1939|

Andrew Smith, an army doctor, arrived in the Cape in 1820, remaining there until 1837. The expedition to Central South Africa was undertaken to find out more about the people living to the north. Smith travelled up to Kuruman and into Ndabele country, and explored the Oori, Mariqua and Limpopo Rivers. The expedition included a number of missionaries, among them Robert Moffat. The first volume takes the journey up to 9 May.

Die Joernaal van Dirk Gysbert van Reenen, 1803

Die Joernaal van Dirk Gysbert van Reenen, 1803

admin2020-10-05T05:23:56+00:00July 25th, 1937|

This is an account of a journey in to the Eastern Cape undertaken by the Governor of the Cape, J.W. Janssens and Capt Paravicini de Capelli, recorded by D.G. van Reenen. Van Reenen was a prominent burger at the Cape, a winemaker, reputed to make the best wine in the Cape, and he held the wine and meat contracts for the VOC on a number of occasions. The purpose of the journey was to inspect the land now ruled by the Batavian Government, and to settle the conflicts occurring between the Dutch burgers and the indigenous residents of the area. This is an official report with much factual information.

Travels and Adventures in Eastern Africa by Nathaniel Isaacs; Vol. II

Travels and Adventures in Eastern Africa by Nathaniel Isaacs; Vol. II

admin2020-09-24T15:28:30+00:00July 25th, 1936|

Isaac’s journal is one of the first reports of a European on Natal and the kingdom of the Zulus. The first volume begins in 1825 when Isaacs went to Natal for the first time. The major portion of the text consists of a detailed description of Shaka, his society and culture. In 1830 Isaacs returned to Natal when Dingaan reigned here. He reports on the early white settlement; in addition the volume includes a good deal of information on Zulu culture.

Travels and Adventures in Eastern Africa by Nathaniel Isaacs; Vol. I

Travels and Adventures in Eastern Africa by Nathaniel Isaacs; Vol. I

admin2020-09-24T15:01:58+00:00July 25th, 1935|

Isaacs' journal is one of the earliest European accounts of Natal and the Zulu kingdom. The first volume opens in 1825 when Isaacs first went to Natal. Most of the volume is devoted to an extended description of Shaka and his society and culture.

The Journal of Hendrik Jacob Wikar [1779] with an English translation by A.W. van der Horst; and the Journals of Jacobus Coetse Jansz [1760] and Willem van Reenen [1791]

The Journal of Hendrik Jacob Wikar [1779] with an English translation by A.W. van der Horst; and the Journals of Jacobus Coetse Jansz [1760] and Willem van Reenen [1791]

admin2020-09-24T14:34:23+00:00July 25th, 1934|

These journals were published originally in Molsbergen's Reizen in Zuid Afrika. Wikar's report is an account of the daily life and adventures of the first European who is known to have journeyed along the Orange River, while that of Jansz records the first European crossing of the Orange River into South-West Africa [Namibia]. Van Reenen crossed the Orange River into Damaraland in a search for copper.

Letters of the American Missionaries, 1835-1838

The Chronicle of Jeremiah Goldswain, Albany Settler of 1820: Vol. I

Mentzel, O.F. – A geographical-topographical description of the Cape of Good Hope. Part III

The Narrative of Private Buck Adams, 7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards on the Eastern Frontier of the Cape of Good Hope, 1843-1848

The Diary of Dr Andrew Smith, director of the ‘Expedition for exploring Central Africa’, 1834-6; Vol. II

The Diary of Dr Andrew Smith, director of the ‘Expedition for exploring Central Africa’, 1834-6; Vol. I

Die Joernaal van Dirk Gysbert van Reenen, 1803

Travels and Adventures in Eastern Africa by Nathaniel Isaacs; Vol. II

Travels and Adventures in Eastern Africa by Nathaniel Isaacs; Vol. I

The Journal of Hendrik Jacob Wikar [1779] with an English translation by A.W. van der Horst; and the Journals of Jacobus Coetse Jansz [1760] and Willem van Reenen [1791]

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