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| Norwich Cathedral the center of the Church of England in H. Rider Haggard's home county |
H Rider Haggard throws out a lot of unfamiliar terms in his novel Marie. After awhile, I decided to write a few down, and look them up. I thought I'd share some of what I learned with you.
Boers: Late in the novel, a Zulu king alleges that these Boers were once British, but they refused to recognize King George as their sovereign. He thinks Allan a traitor to his people for rescuing the wandering Boers when they run into trouble. Allan explains to him that he did so for the love of a woman. This is an explanation the king can understand. As the events in the novel take place in the mid 1830s, I'm guessing the Zulu king could be referring to King George IV, who died in 1830. While I don't know why the Boers refused to recognize him as their King, a dislike for certain political leaders can often drive ordinary people to extraordinary action.
Hottentot: this is an outdated term for the Khoikhoi people, one of the indigenous peoples of Africa. Allan's servant Hans is a Hottentot, whom his father has converted to Christianity. Hans, for the most part a faithful and loyal, looks after Allan's guns. He always makes sure they are clean, and keeps the powder dry.
Kaffir: Apparently this is an ethnic slur used to refer to refer to Black people by the Whites who colonized Africa. Likewise, Hottentot seems to be regarded as an offensive word these days. Allan never seems to mean any harm by using either term, but times change, and words can grow hateful with time.
Zulu: Like the Hottentots (Khoikhoi), this is another ethnic group of people indigenous to Africa. Unlike the Hottentots and Kaffir, this term does not appear to have any negative associations attached to it.
Kloof: a steep-sided, wooded ravine or valley. Marie's cousin attempts to murder Allan in one at night, after Allan has saved him from starvation, and nursed him back to health.
Verdomde: This seems to be an expletive. It is used, more than once, to refer to Marie's less-than-honorable suitor.
Laager: a camp formed by circled wagons. When Allan searches for the Boer encampment, believing all (including Marie) have died, his guide takes him to the place where she saw a circle of wagons months ago. This allows him to find the Boers, and save them from starvation.
Kraal: a grouping of African huts, enclosed by a fence. As the Boers' numbers have dwindled through bad judgment, fever, and starvation, Allan has to trade supplies he brought with them for animals to pull their wagons. These natives live in kraals.
Velt: the open country of South Africa. The Boers are searching for a peaceful valley where they can settle, and form their own community.
Vrouw: A Dutch mistress. One great lady of the camp carries the title of Vrouw. After Allan rescues the wandering Boers from starvation, she becomes the groups leader. She always stands up for Allan, repeatedly urges him to kill the villainous nephew (or let him die), and just as often tries to get Allan and Marie to marry without her father's consent.
Allemachte!: The Boers use this expression often. Usually, it is uttered after Allan has impressed them in some way, such as after Allan saves their lives again and again. My computer translates the word from Dutch as "All Able."
"All able" certainly describes Allan Quartermain. H. Rider Haggard wrote novels about him for four decades. The character has featured in comics, TV, movies, and novels by other writers. He's clearly a hero from another age. Yet his bravery, and the fair treatment he usually accords others, seem to have made him eternal.
Dragon Dave
Just one thing, the Boers. Originally many Boers were Dutch colonists (hence resistance to King George IV) of the Transvaal Colony, which was annexed by the British in 1877. The Boers rose in revoly in 1880 and the First Boer War of 1880-81 took place. After assorted political shennanigins there was a Second Boer War of 1899-1902. It is interesting to hear that the British established 'concentration camps' for the women and children while the menfolk were out raiding and fighting. The Boers used mounted mobile tactics, known as 'Commandos' very similar to what I imagine the American Indians used against encroaching civilisation in the U.S.
ReplyDelete(Source - Companion to British History)
The major change to Allan's life comes early in the novel, when the natives attack Marie's home, and drive away all the livestock. By that time, recent changes in government have forced Marie's (Boer) father to free all his slaves. With his workforce and livestock gone, and his home in ruins, Marie's father leaves with other disenfranchised Boers to found a new colony. Sadly, the group doesn't do well on their own, which in addition to his love for Marie, is why Allan (British) sets out to rescue them. Despite the couple's love for each other, and how Allan saves his people, Marie's father never consents to Allan marrying his daughter, as he hates all Brits. While all of this predates the events you describe, Haggard may mention some of them in later novels. Something to look forward to!
DeleteIn fairness, the Zulu king in Marie is always looking for a reason to kill people. Allan only saves his life (and those of the Boers) by demonstrating his prowess with a rifle. So the whole "the Boers are traitors to King George," could be viewed as racism, and an excuse for yet another "delightful" mass execution.
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