Colonisation of the Cape in the 17th and 18th Centuries

Vocabulary practice flashcards detailing the indigenous populations of the Cape in the 17th century, including their social structure, farming habits, belief systems, and territorial settlements.

San

A group of hunter-gatherers whose name means "Those without cattle", who lived in semi-nomadic groups of 20-50 people in complete harmony with nature.

Khoi

Herders whose name means "Men of men", who acquired fat-tailed sheep and long-horn cattle about 2,500 years ago and migrated to the Cape about 2,000 years ago.

Arrival of the Dutch

The event in 1652 when Dutch settlers arrived in the Cape, leading to the expropriation of indigenous Khoi land.

Khoi War of Independence

The conflict from 1799 to 1803 that marked the final defeat of Khoi resistance against Dutch colonial land expropriation.

$500\,mm$ Rainfall Line

The climatic boundary east of which provided sufficient summer rainfall for growing crops such as sorghum, beans, and melons.

Great Kei River

The southwestern boundary of the geographical territory suitable for cultivating summer crops.

Temboe and Mpondo

The two main tribal groups into which the Xhosa had split by 1660.

Eastern Transkei Tribes

Other Xhosa tribes living in the eastern Transkei, including the Fingo, Bhaca, Nhlangwini, and Xesibe.

Inkosi

The Zulu term for king, who ruled over the people and was protected by warriors.

!Gai/T'gami

The Higher Being in the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Khoi.

uThixo

The Higher Being in the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Xhosa.

uNkulunkulu

The Higher Being in the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Zulu.

Khoi Mat Houses

Portable dwellings constructed by the Khoi that stayed cool when hot and warm when cool outside.

Territorial Occupation by 1600

The distribution of populations across modern South Africa by 1600: San and Khoi in the west/southwest, Sotho-Tswanas on the Highveld, and Ngunis on the coastal plains.