Griqualand West - Early History

Early History

The Griqua are a mixed people who originated in the intermarriages between Dutch colonists in the Cape and the Khoikhoi already living there. They turned into a semi-nomadic Afrikaans-speaking nation of horsemen who migrated out of the Cape Colony and established short-lived states on the Colony's borderlands (In a similar manner to the Cossack states of imperial Russia).

Adam Kok I, the first Kaptein of the Griqua, led his people northwards from the Cape Colony. This area is where most of the Griqua nation settled, though many remained nomadic. By the 19th century, the Griqua controlled several political entities which were governed by Kapteins ("Captains", i.e. leaders) and their Councils, with their own written constitutions.

Griqualand West, was previously named Korranaland, and Andries Waterboer later became Chief until the influx of British settlers, accompanying the discovery of diamonds. In 1834, the Cape Colony had recognized Waterboer’s sovereignty over the territory and signed a treaty with him. Not long after 1843 however, the competition between the Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and the Transvaal became too much for the Griqua. Led by Adam Kok III, many migrated eastwards to establish Griqualand East.