Dorsland Trek

Dorsland Trek (Thirstland Trek) is the collective name of a series of northwards explorations undertaken by South African settlers in the second half of the 19th century in search of political independence. The participants, trekboere (migrating farmers) from the Orange Free State and Transvaal, are called Dorsland trekkers.

Political background and previous treks

After escaping the autocratic rule of the Dutch East India Company in the late 18th century, semi-nomadic settlers at the Cape Colony came into conflict both with the indigenous Xhosa tribes in the east and the British who acquired the Cape as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1836 they set off to what became known as the Great Trek, establishing the Orange Free State and Transvaal as independent Boer republics.^[1]

There are two theories why the settlers would take off yet again to explore territory further north. One is that in the 1870s Britain again began the process of annexing these states,^[2] the other claims that "[t]hey appeared compelled by a desire to trek." with no particular difficulty facing them at their current place.^[1]

Routes of the trek

The first group of the Dorsland Trek started off in 1874 under the leadership of Gert Alberts. A number of different groups of farmers, taking different routes, followed the first. They set off from the areas around Rustenburg,^[1] Marico,^[3] and Pretoria,^[2] the main aim were the Humpata highlands of south-western Angola. On their journey the settlers had to traverse the vast arid areas of the Kalahari through what today forms Namibia and Botswana. It was these hard conditions that gave the trek the name Dorsland Trek.^[3]

The shallow Cunene near Swartbooisdrift

The settlers entered Angola by crossing the Cunene River at Swartbooisdrift. After their arrival not all of the them were satisfied with the conditions. The Portuguese colonialists encouraged the Boers to settle but did not allow the use of Afrikaans at schools, and they attempted to convert them to Catholicism. As a result a number of trekkers turned southwards back into South-West Africa,^[2] some returned to where they came from.^[1]

A number of farmers settled in the Otavi - Tsumeb - Grootfontein triangle^[2] and in the area around Gobabis. Some took a different route and crossed Kaokoland.^[3] On their way southwards they discovered water at Sesriem and named it accordingly: Ses riem, six belts, was the depth of the canyon.^[2]

Historical Impact

Not everywhere the Boers were well received. In the area around Gobabis, Kaiǀkhauan Kaptein Andreas Lambert on behalf of all leaders of Damaraland threatened to harm them if they do not leave.^[4]

Remains of the Dorsland Trek

In Kaokoland, several ruins of temporary settlements are still^[update] visible, including a dopper church (dopper = wooden pole) near Kaoko Otavi. Outside Swartbooisdrift the Dorsland Trekkers Monument has been erected to commemorate the journey. At Humpata there are several graves of the settlers, including that of their leader, Gert Alberts.^[5]

See also

• Voortrekkers
• History of South Africa
• History of Namibia

External links

• Wilkinsons World Picture of the Dorsland Trekkers Monument

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Joubert, Bruce. "An historical perspective on animal power use in South Africa". Animal Traction Network for Eastern and Southern Africa. http://www.atnesa.org/sanat/Joubert-95-HistoryanimalpowerSouthAfrica.pdf. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "The Dorsland Trekkers". tourbrief.com. http://www.tourbrief.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2327. Retrieved 25 June 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "The Dorsland Trek 4x4 Route". NamibWeb. http://www.namibweb.com/dorsland.htm. Retrieved 25 June 2010. 
4. ^ Shiremo, Shampapi (14 January 2011). "Captain Andreas Lambert: A brave warrior and a martyr of the Namibian anti-colonial resistance". New Era. http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=36891&title=Captain%20Andreas%20Lambert:%20%20A%20brave%20warrior%20and%20a%20martyr%20of%20the%20%20Namibian%20anti-colonial%20resistance%20%2818. 
5. ^ "Dorsland Gedenkfees [Thirstland commemoration]" (in Afrikaans). http://www.dorsland.jislaaik.com/kennisg.htm. Retrieved 25 June 2010.