Gondwana-Collection-Logo
Gondwana-Collection-Logo
  • Explore
    • Experience Namibia
    • Adventure Travel
    • Gondwana Card
    • Value Vouchers
    • Birding in Namibia
  • Travel Centre
    • Travel & Safaris
    • Lodges & Camps
    • Car Rental
    • Promotions
    • Corporate
    • Events & Weddings
  • News & Blog
    • News
    • Blog
  • About us
    • About Us
    • Sustainability
    • Gondwana Care Trust
    • Covid-19 Hygiene Measures
    • Investors
    • Partners
  • Agent Portal
  • Contact us
    • Get in Touch
    • Careers
  • Book Now
  • Menu Item 1
    • Sub-menu Item 1
      • Another Item
    • Sub-menu Item 2
  • Menu Item 2
    • Yet Another Item
  • Menu Item 3
  • Menu Item 4

Travel , Namibia , Stamps and Stories , Gondwana Collection , Uncategorized , News , orange river , gondwana stamps and stories , rehoboth area , rehoboth , Rehoboth-Baster , lengthy negotiations , Abraham Swartbooi , Cape Colony , van wyk , boers , German Schutztruppe , herds of cattle , The 'Kappie' of the Women

Rehoboth-Baster - The 'Kappie' of the Women

By Bernd Grahl
May 02, 2012

Although the long dress and the unique headdress of the Rehoboth-Baster women has today disappeared from the everyday scene it is still worn during special ceremonies such as the annual festival commemorating the Baster people’s fallen heroes during the battle of Tsamkhubis, which took place with the German Schutztruppe on May 8, 1915.

The ancestors of the Rehoboth-Basters, who were descendents of white fathers and Khoekhoe mothers, originated in the northern frontier districts of the Cape Colony during the first half of the nineteenth century. At De Tuin, south of the Orange River, a mission station was founded for them in 1863. It was soon taken over by the missionary Friedrich Heidmann, who was to play a significant role in their further history. Marginalized by increasing numbers of Trek-Boers, who invaded the area with their large herds of cattle and some marauding groups of San and Koranna, the Basters, accompanied by their missionary, left De Tuin and moved northward. Towards the end of 1868, they crossed the Orange River and, inspired by the Nama and Oorlam people, elected Hermanus van Wyk as their 'kaptein'.

 

Baster, issued in 2002, artist: Mary Jane Volkmann

 

After a short sojourn at places such as Warmbad and Bethany, a group of ca 300 people settled at Rehoboth in 1870. After lengthy negotiations with Abraham Swartbooi, the previous owner of the Rehoboth-area, and the Special Commissioner of the Cape Government, W.C. Palgrave, the Basters finally gained ownership of their newly acquired land in 1882. Continue reading

All posts
About Author
Bernd Grahl

You might also like
Gondwana offerings to add to your bucket list when traveling to Namibia this year
Gondwana offerings to add to your bucket list when traveling to Namibia this year
May 02, 2012
What does Christmas look like in Namibia?
What does Christmas look like in Namibia?
May 02, 2012
How the Put Foot Rally will embark through Namibia
How the Put Foot Rally will embark through Namibia
May 02, 2012
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT
Gondwana-Collection-Logo-Footer-1

Gondwana Collection Namibia (Pty) Ltd | Disclaimer | GDPR Compliance | Terms & Conditions

Subscribe Now

Stay up-to-date with our monthly Newsletter.

  • Book Now
  • Lodges & Camps
  • Safaris & Travel
  • Car Rental
  • News
  • Sustainability
  • Our Partners
  • Black Friday
  • Contact us
  • The Gondwana Card
  • Share Trading
  • Careers
  • Reservations
Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved.