Just back from South Africa - Pioneers of USA versus Voortrekkers of SA

[Green River Powell aka RonC]

Just returned from another working trip to South Africa for 24 days. Over time, I have been reading about South African history and found some interesting parallels between our western moving pioneers and the trekkers of SA.

When the British outlawed slavery in the Cape Town area in 1803 or so and in the entire region in 1833, the original Dutch and French Huguenots settlers decided they had enough. They set off north in wagons similar to the Conestoga wagons of our Western surge. IN fact, when encountering Zulus later in their trek, the put the wagons in "lager" which was circling them just as we see in the old Western movies. They would surround the wagons with Acacia thorn tree branches. Several hundred trekkers devastated over 10,000 Zulus from their protection in "lager." The Zulu spear, or Assegai, was no match for the muzzle loaders of the trekkers. The men fired and the women and children loaded, keeping the fire rate high. The big battle was at Blood River, named for the blood of the Zulus spilled in that stream.

I haven't posted any photos as I wasn't certain it was appropriate or related to CAS-SASS. Just let me know if you want me to post any and if it would be permitted.

Ron

[GunClick Rick]

The things you do are very intresting to me,if not here email them,curly54atsbcglobal.net

[GunClick Rick]

BEEEEUEATIFUL!

[Shotgun Franklin]

You ought to post'm. It's good to compare our history to that of others.

[Green River Powell aka RonC]

Here are some historical pictures concerning the voortrekkers. Most are from the Voortrekkers Museum in Pretoria, South Africa. Please note the similarities to our pioneers.
Here is a relief carving of wagons in lager:


You can see some wagons in the background of this relief of the trekkers during a Zulu attack:



A photo of trekkers - no, I wasn't there to take the photo


During any trek, one needs a nap now and again:


And looking for food is always important:


And it is nice to see a fine rack:


Ron