Lost and found: Barend Barends of Danielskuil

Martie, Olga en Rico Barends of Danielskuil shown here when they learnt about their background, from a still of a documentary made in the context of the research project (photo by: Angelo Doyle).

Lost and found: Barend Barends of Danielskuil

A new research project on a difficult past helps people regain pride in their history and culture.

Barend Barends was the son of a “half-Hottentot Dutchman”. And one of the most important leaders along the turbulent northern frontier of the Cape Colony from 1790 to 1834. He was one of the first chiefs of the Griqua tribe, an indigenous Khoi group. However, his role in history has been all but forgotten. Partly because he was not succeeded by a son who could continue the dynasty. But most of all because his life story was never included in school curricula.

Researching difficult intangible heritage

Thanks to the support of the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria, the past and present of the ‘Barends Griqua’ has been researched and documented by Dutch and South African experts. This work was carried out in archives, in libraries and in the village of Danielskuil, which was founded and named by Barends.

A book on the history and present living conditions of the ‘Barends Griqua’ will be published in November 2019. Around 400 copies will be distributed free of charge to high schools and public libraries in the Northern Cape Province. This project brings Barends’ intangible (partly colonial Dutch) heritage to the fore. To the ‘Barends Griqua’ it is a first step in regaining pride in their history, identity and culture.

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