Reports from the Dorsland and other pioneering region / P. J. van der Merwe ; compiled and translated, Margaretha Schäfer ; final edit, Franz Schäfer.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Van der Merwe, P. J. (Petrus Johannes), 1912-1979, author.

Contributor:

Schäfer, Margaretha, translator.

Schäfer, Franz, editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)--History.

Cape of Good Hope (South Africa).

Historians--South Africa--Biography--20th century.

Historians.

Afrikaners--South Africa--North-West--History.

Afrikaners.

Afrikaners--South Africa--Northern Cape--History.

Afrikaners--Social life and customs.

Historiography.

Van der Merwe, P. J. (Petrus Johannes), 1912-1979.

Van der Merwe, P. J.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (504 pages)

Place of Publication:

[Place of publication not identified] : African Sun Media, [2020]

Summary:

"Shortly after his appointment as lecturer in Stellenbosch, historian PJ van der Merwe turned his attention to the Northwest. In those days the region was mostly unknown to people outside this part of the world. Like today, there was uncertainty then about the boundaries of this region and its sub-regions ... Berigte uit die Dorsland, compiled by Van der Merwe's daughter, Margaretha Schäfer, contains more than 200 of his magazine and newspaper articles. The articles, based on interviews and observations, offer a wealth of important information that he gathered during two extensive visits to the Northwest and surrounding regions ... He realised, long before most historians, that a personal interview with someone, who has had a particular experience, was an important historical source. But, it was essential to test the evidence and verify it with that of other people. The articles in Die Burger, Die Huisgenoot, Die Landbouweekblad and Sarie Marais are accompanied by excellent photographs taken by Van der Merwe."--Page ii.

Contents:

Farmers, farming and irrigation

Structures, concoctions and inventions

Caves, holes and graves

Cover pictures

Drought, pans, dams and dunes

Water and grazing

Trees, flowers and gardens

Trekboere, Voortrekkers and French Huguenots

Development and progress

Artists, characters and kings

Mines, trains, carts and camels

Pioneers, trail blazers and die-hards

Towns, schools, churches and jails

Stories, legends and yarns

Boer wives, industry and skills

Matjieshuise, grass huts, shacks and other homes

Trekking, wagons and way of life

West coast and its charm.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-620-87272-1