Cultural History: ( http://www.africanexplore.com/pdfpages/pages/culture.html ) ( http://www.africanexplore.com/pdfpages/pages/Afrikaner.html )

Cultural History:
( http://www.africanexplore.com/pdfpages/pages/culture.html )
( http://www.africanexplore.com/pdfpages/pages/Afrikaner.html )

South Africa's greatest treasure is the cultural diversity of its people. The contrasting influences of the African, European and Asian heritages create a mosaic of influences throughout the arts, crafts, dance, music, food and sports of South Africa. There are many indigenous people who have lived in South Africa for thousands of years. Three quarters of South Africa's 49 million people are Blacks whose ancestors. Many of them farmers and herders began arriving from Central Africa some 1,500 years ago.

Most fall into two major ethnic groups: the Nguni, which consist of Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi peoples, and the Sotho, which includes the Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho or Basotho and Venda peoples. Blacks often speak several languages, including that of their own ethnic group and English. Many Blacks reside in cities and townships living a more modern western lifestyle, while rural dwellers often wear unique costumes and maintain their ancestors traditions and customs. In addition ceremonies play a very important part in the lives of Black South Africans.

The European influence of South Africa is primarily rooted in the Afrikaners, who were descendants of Dutch settlers. They developed their own language "Afrikaans" which is based on Dutch, but also has Malay, French, German and Black influences. About 6 million people, or roughly 15% of South Africa's population are of European descent. The British and Germans also played an important part in the country's development. The Coloureds, a mixed-race people, are descendants of Europeans, Blacks and former slaves from Dutch colonies in Africa and Indonesia. Indians came to South Africa initially as indentured servants and today make up the largest community of Indians outside of India. ( http://www.africanexplore.com/pdfpages/pages/culture.html )



Afrikaner:
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The Afrikaners are the only truly indigenous white tribe of Africa. They speak their own indigenous language, Afrikaans, formed over many years as people of different nationalities started to develop a combined culture. This tribe traces their origins to the first permanent settlement of Dutch colonists in 1652, to the French Huguenots; Protestant refugees from catholic France and to the early German settlers. Today’s Afrikaners have adapted well to modern day existence and have lost much of their traditional culture, although the characteristics are still there.

Historical Background:
The Dutch were one of the key colonial powers during the seventeenth century. After they had broken Portugal’s monopoly over trade with the East, the Dutch dominated the trade routes via the Cape of Good Hope. It soon became necessary for them to establish a halfway station at the Cape of Good Hope, to provide their ships with food, water and medical services. In 1688 the Dutch settlers were joined by French Huguenots of the Protestant faith, who had fled from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, as a result of which they were subjected to large-scale religious persecution. In due course, German settlers also made their way to the Cape of Good Hope.
Birth of the New People:
During the period when the Dutch East India Company ruled the Cape of Good Hope, the settlers were alternately neglected and interfered with. In defence, they developed a sturdy independence of spirit, which was further strengthened by having to ward off intermittent attacks by local indigenous tribes.

Although the various communities were proud of their own traditions and tried to isolate and maintain their separate identities, it was inevitable that they would start to cooperate and combine their efforts. Their thirst for liberty, which had led them to Africa in the first place, frequent social contact and common interests and dangers, created a patriotism and an identity that rose above all cultural differences. The formation of the New People, the Afrikaners (also referred to as the Boers), was inevitable.
British interference:
After the British had assumed control of the Cape in 1805, their colonial governing principles caused intense resentment among the settlers.

Issues such as British labour laws, frontier raiding, general colonial administration, the threat to Boer property rights and, as the last straw, the British decree that English would in future be the only official language, became too much to bear. In true pioneering spirit, the Afrikaner farmers decided to pack up and leave and find a new home far away from the stifling rules of the colonial government.
The Great Trek:
Organized Afrikaner (Boer) parties, now called “Voortrekkers” (“those who move ahead”), left their farms and most of their possessions in the Cape and set off in ox-drawn wagons.
The Voortrekkers experienced many hardships and traumas before being able to establish their much yearned-for free Boer Republics. Long and devastating battles had to be fought against the inhabitants of some of the areas that they so naively thought would be empty and uninhabited. Because the Voortrekkers were not a united nation but an alliance of family households grouped under strong-willed, independent leaders, internal squabbles also added to their problems.

The strife with indigenous Black tribes often led to massacres under which both groups suffered. One of the most famous events in Afrikaner history is the Battle of Blood River, fought in northern KwaZulu-Natal, on 16th of December 1838. This battle was fought in retaliation for the killing of the Boer leader Piet Retief and his men while negotiating a deal for land with the Zulu chief Dingane.

During the battle, the Voortrekker leader, Andries Pretorius and his men defeated 12 000 war-trained Zulus. Before the battle, the Boers swore a solemn oath to God, promising that if He saved them from their enemies, they and their descendants would henceforth celebrate this day as a religious holiday. This battle marked the end of hostilities between the Boers and the Zulus in Natal. When things became more settled, some 6 000 Boers settled in the area, which they called the Republic of Natal (or Natalia). Other groups settled on the Transvaal Highveld and in the Orange Free State.

When the British annexed Natal during 1843, large numbers of Boers once again packed up and left to find freedom in the free Boer Republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The Boer settlements in the Transvaal were later united in what became known as the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) (South African Republic - SAR). The capital city was named Pretoriusstad, after Andries Pretorius and later renamed Pretoria. The ‘Great Trek’ changed the political face of southern Africa and was one of the events that forged an even stronger Afrikaner identity.

The Scramble for Diamonds and Gold:
Towards the end of the nineteenth century diamonds and gold were discovered in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State Republics. Envious eyes were turned towards the Afrikaner republics and trouble was soon to follow. The war that was fought for control of the rich goldfields, was called the Anglo-Boer War.
The Anglo-Boer War:
During the early phases of the war, the Boers enjoyed many victories, mainly as a result of their intimate knowledge of the terrain and the dependable help they received from their wives, children and servants, left behind on the farms. However, with the arrival of the main British force in January 1900, conditions changed for the worse. The British erected concentration camps in which they incarcerated Boer and Black women and children and destroyed their homes, livestock and crops.

These harsh measures eventually brought the Boer forces to their knees, forcing them to surrender in May, 1902. However, although the Boers had lost the war, they eventually won the peace. The British granted generous terms to the Boers and in due course allowed the Boers political control over both the ex-Boer republics. Britain did not object in 1909 when the South African National Convention opted to form a union of the two British colonies and the two former republics and drew up a Constitution that left political power firmly entrenched in White Afrikaner hands.
The Union of South Africa (1910-1960):
After the restoration of self-government, Afrikaners earnestly started to rebuild their shattered national pride. Eventually, when the Afrikaners were consolidated on the cultural and political fronts, a new Afrikaner republicanism emerged. It reached its zenith in 1914 and was fuelled by a reaction against the British imperial dominance and an aversion to going to war against the Germans in South West Africa (Namibia). Over the years, the Afrikaners developed a strong desire to keep political power in their hands and to solidify their powerbase. After it had won the general election of 1948, the National Party set its policy of separate development (Apartheid) in motion. This policy included the establishment of Black Homelands, intended to make provision for each African tribe to become self-sufficient and to govern itself.

The Apartheid policies resulted in bitter resentment and fierce resistance from Black South Africans. Black political parties grew in power and international sentiment turned against the Apartheid government. During the years that followed, the Afrikaners slowly but surely started to lose their political power. The liberation of Africa saw the end of colonial White minority rule in Rhodesia and Mozambique and trade and armaments boycotts against South Africa increased. President FW de Klerk eventually released Nelson Mandela, the imprisoned ANC leader and started talks about a transitional Constitution. The ANC won the 1994 national election and political power thus passed from Afrikaner hands to those of the ANC.
Social and cultural life:
From the earliest days of the Afrikaner nation, the Afrikaner’s home, family and church were central to his being. In the early days, most Afrikaners were farmers (hence the name Boers) and their love of the outdoors and of the land has been carried forward through successive generations. Boys helped their fathers with the farming while the girls helped their mothers with the household chores. The latter, apart from cooking and cleaning also included making candles and clothing for themselves and the men.

During the years of British rule, British culture had a profound influence on the Afrikaner who adopted and incorporated into the Afrikaner lifestyle Britain’s parliamentary system of government, business administration, as well as that country’s sense of sportsmanship and etiquette. However, despite these influences, the Afrikaner did not become anglicised but remained true to his own unique heritage and culture. The modern Afrikaner adheres to many of the earlier Boers’ values and beliefs and is still renowned for his hospitality and family values.

Gender Roles:
Traditionally, the Afrikaner had great respect for the elderly and anyone else in a position of authority. The women were often the driving force behind the men. In fact, legend has it that the Afrikaner women declared that they would rather ‘trek’ (hike) over the Drakensberg Mountain Range barefoot than be subject to British rule. They also showed great fortitude during the Anglo-Boer War when thousands were incarcerated in concentration camps with their children, in which a great many of them died. Traditionally, the husband was honoured as the head of the home.
Children were much loved and enjoyed a great deal of freedom but were taught to treat their elders with respect. Afrikaners have always been very family-orientated and fiercely protective of their families and family values.

Special Occasions:
The early Afrikaners loved social gatherings and were famous for their hospitality and sense of humour. Weddings were celebrated with gusto and involved much eating, drinking and dancing. These were the highlights of the social calendar and a time for the young folk to get together.

‘Nagmaal’ (Holy Communion) and the confirmation of young people into the church were special occasions when whole families camped out on the church grounds for the weekend to celebrate the occasion. Since the Battle of Blood River, 16th of December has been commemorated as a holy day, a day on which to thank God for saving the Afrikaner nation from annihilation.

Religious And Political Beliefs:
Next to family, the Afrikaners had great reverence for God, the Church and for their political, cultural and religious leaders. Cultural and religious activities dominated their lives and were heartily supported. Political issues were hotly debated and would bring out the stubborn streak in the Afrikaner psyche. Arguments would at times become so explosive that they sometimes threatened the unity of families and the Afrikaner nation, a phenomenon which can still be seen in the political struggles of South Africa today.
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