Topic 6: Unit 2 - Part 3

Topic 6: Unit 2 Part 3

2.1.6 The Legacy of Slavery

• Music

  • Slaves at the Cape left a rich cultural legacy, influenced by their own cultures and the Khoi.

  • Developed instruments like the ramkie (guitar with 3-4 strings) adapted from Western styles.

  • The 1820s saw slaves from Indonesia and Sri Lanka creating a unique musical style blending Western and local traditions.

• Cuisine

  • Some slaves worked as cooks, particularly those from Indonesia and the East.

  • Their culinary practices heavily influenced Cape food, leading to popular dishes such as:

    • (a) bredies

    • (b) babotie

    • (c) sosaties

    • (d) koeksisters

• Architecture

  • Slaves were instrumental in building homes; they introduced ornamental elements to Dutch architecture.

  • Notable constructions included:

    • The Castle

    • Groot Constantia, Vergelegen, and Simonsig

• Development of the Afrikaans Language

  • Afrikaans became an official language in 1925, influenced by Dutch, Khoi, and slave languages.

  • Communication challenges led to the training of Khoi interpreters (e.g., Autshumato, Kratoa, Doman) when the Dutch arrived.

3. The Legacy of Islam

• Exiled Leaders

  • Sheikh Abdurahman Matebe Shah was exiled for opposing Dutch occupation and spread Islam among slaves.

  • Notable figures include Sheikh Yusuf of Bantam and Said Alochie who established early Islamic teachings in Cape Town.

  • The first mosque in South Africa, Awwal Mosque, was built in 1798 due to their commitment to Islam.

4. Free Burghers, Dutch, and French Huguenots

• Free Burghers

  • VOC released employees as free burghers to farm, leading to land settlements along the Liesbeeck Valley.

• Dutch Migration

  • Population growth prompted the appointment of Simon van der Stel as Cape Commander in 1679 to expand settlement.

• French Huguenots

  • The VOC sent Huguenots to settle at the Cape, valuing their skills as craftsmen and farmers.

5. Land Dispossession and Its Impact

• Indigenous Resistance

  • The San and Khoi initially resisted land dispossession through guerrilla tactics.

  • Trekboers formed commandos to reclaim cattle taken by the Khoi and San.

• Consequences for Indigenous People

  • The San faced near extinction; the Khoi had to choose between relocation or servitude.

  • Servants, who remained free yet worked for food and basic needs, sometimes kept cattle.

6. Historical Conflicts

• Trekboers and Xhosa

  • In the 1770s, Trekboers moved east into Zuurveld, prompting conflict with the Xhosa.

  • The first of nine Frontier Wars began in 1779, exacerbated by tensions over land rights and occupation.

  • In 1806, the English declared Fish River as the Cape's frontier, ending disputes after full colonization.

7. Genadendal

• Establishment

  • Founded in April 1738 by George Smit; the first mission station in southern Africa aimed to educate the Khoi.

  • The mission was temporarily halted in 1744 over disagreements about baptisms, but resumed in 1792.

8. Genadendal: A Town of Many Firsts

• Landmarks

  • Notable for the first constructed bridge over a major river.

  • Home to the first kindergarten, industrial town, teachers' college, and oldest pipe organ/fire engine in South Africa.

9. The Work of William Bleek and Lucy Lloyd

• Documentation of the San

  • Spent 18 years recording +-12,000 pages on San language, stories, songs, and personal histories, emphasizing cultural preservation.

10. Notable Figures: Lucy Lloyd and William Bleek

• Lucy Lloyd

  • Sibling to William; worked with the San starting 1870 and died in 1914.

  • Resided in Mowbray after moving for her sister's wedding in 1862.

• William Bleek

  • Prussian linguist, born in Berlin in 1827, dedicated to compiling a Zulu grammar book.

  • Died in 1875, after contributing significantly to linguistics and the preservation of the San culture.