Basters
The flag of the Rehoboth Basters
Total population
20,000-40,000 Image File history File links Rehobothflag. ...
Regions with significant populations
Namibia, Lubango, Angola
Languages
Afrikaans, English
Religions
Protestantism
Related ethnic groups
Coloureds, Khoikhoi, Namaqua, Griqua, Afrikaners

The Basters (also known as Baasters, Rehobothers or Rehoboth Basters) are the descendants of liaisons between the Cape Colony Dutch and indigenous African women. They largely live in Namibia and are similar to Coloured or Griqua people in South Africa. Lubango is the capital city of the Angolan province of Huíla. ... Look up Wiktionary:Swadesh lists for Afrikaans and Dutch in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... In the South African context, the term Coloured refers to various people of mixed Bantu, Khoisan, and European descent (with some Malay or Indian ancestry, especially in the Western Cape) together with some racially pure Khoisans. ... An 18th century drawing of Khoikhoi worshipping the moon The Khoikhoi (men of men) or Khoi are a historical division of the Khoisan ethnic group of south-western Africa, closely related to the Bushmen (or San, as the Khoikhoi called them). ... Nama (in older sourses also Namaqua) are a pastoral people of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana speaking the Nama language which belongs to the Khoe-Kwadi language family (previously known as Central Khoisan). ... The Griqua (Afrikaans Griekwa) are a subgroup of South Africas heterogeneous and multiracial Coloured people. ... Afrikaners (sometimes known as Boers) are white South Africans, predominantly of Calvinist German, French Huguenot, Friesian and Walloons descent who speak Afrikaans. ... Anthem: God Save the Queen Cape Colony Capital Cape Town Language(s) English and Dutch1 Religion Dutch Reformed Church, Anglican Government Constitutional monarchy Last Monarch King George VI Last Prime Minister  - 1908 – 1910 John X. Merriman Last Governor  - 1901 - 1910 Walter Hely-Hutchinson Historical era 19th century  - Dutch East India... World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... In the South African and Namibian context, the term Coloured (also known as Bruinmense, Kleurlinge or Bruine Afrikaners) refers to a rather heterogeneous group of people of mixed Khoisan, white European descent, Malay, Malagasy, Black (Bantu), and South Indian ancestry, especially in the Western Cape. ... The Griqua (Afrikaans Griekwa) are a subgroup of South Africas heterogeneous and multiracial Coloured people. ...

The name Baster is derived from the Dutch word for ‘bastard’ (or ‘crossbreed'). While some people consider this term pejorative, the Basters proudly use the term as an indication of their history in the same way as the Métis or "New People" of Canada. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Mestizo. ...

The Basters were mainly persons of mixed descent who at one time would have been absorbed in the white community. It was, however, as much an economic and cultural category as a racial one and included the economically most advanced of the non-white population at the Cape. Among these were persons who acted as supervisors of other servants and were the confidential employees of their masters. Sometimes these were treated almost as members of the white family. The group also included Khoi, free blacks and persons of mixed descent who had succeeded in acquiring property and establishing themselves as farmers in their own right. The name Orlam was sometimes applied to persons who could also be known as Baster but was a more general name for Khoi and Coloured persons generally who spoke Dutch and practised a largely European way of life. In the early eighteenth century it was not uncommon for Basters to own farms in the colony, but with the growth of competition for land and colour prejudice they came under increasing pressure from their white neighbours and were either absorbed into the Coloured servant class or moved to the fringes of settlement where it was still possible to maintain themselves in independence. From about 1750 the Khamiesberg in the extreme north-west of the colony became the main area of settlement of idependent Baster farmers, some of whom had substantial followings of servants and clients. After about 1780, increasing competition from whites in this area led to the migration of a number of Baster families to the middle valley of the Orange. The Basters of the middle Orange were subsequently persuaded by London Missionary Society missionaries to adopt the name Griqua. The Khoikhoi (men of men) or Khoi are a division of the Khoisan ethnic group of south-western Africa, closely related to the Bushmen (San). ... The London Missionary Society was a non-denominational missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Nonconformists, largely Congregationalist in outlook, with missions in the islands of the South Pacific and Africa. ... The Griqua (Afrikaans Griekwa) are a subgroup of South Africas heterogeneous and multiracial Coloured people. ...

Heavily Calvinist, Basters sing hymns identical to those heard in seventeenth century Netherlands and the religious fervour of the Basters is clear from their motto: "Groei in Geloof" (Grow in faith). Known as "the last dregs of the Great Trek", most Basters see themselves as culturally white rather than black, still speak Afrikaans, sport Dutch names and take pride in being considered more Dutch than the Dutch. In an unadorned church, the 17th century congregation stands to hear the sermon. ... Trekboers on the Karoo. ... Afrikaans is a West Germanic language mainly spoken in South Africa and Namibia. ...

The first council of the Rehoboth Basters, 1872

The Basters left their original home in the Cape Colony in 1868 to trek northwards in search of land and settled in Rehoboth (in what is now central Namibia). In 1872, the Basters founded the "Free Republic of Rehoboth", designed a German influenced national flag and produced a constitution that continues to govern the actions of the Baster to the current day. While they remain predominantly based around Rehoboth, some Basters continued to trek northward, settling in the southern Angolan city of Lubango, where they are known as the Ouivamo (many of these were forced to return to Namibia between 1928 and 1930 by white South Africans, who couldn't understand why their illiterate and deeply religious cousins wanted to live amongst the `savages’). Image File history File links BasterCouncil1872. ... Image File history File links BasterCouncil1872. ... 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Rehoboth, town [population 2005: 21,378], central Namibia. ... 1872 (MDCCCLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Lubango is the capital city of the Angolan province of Huíla. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ...

Following the German annexation of German South-West Africa, the Basters worked with the German colonialists and fought on the German side during the Herero Wars. As a result, they were able to keep their land and cattle while the Nama and the Herero were stripped of their rights and shipped off to concentration camps. The cooperation between the Basters and the German Empire ended on 8 May 1915 when Germany declared war on the Basters following the Basters' refusal to assist the German war effort in World War I. Considering themselves South African, the Basters offered to serve with the South African forces during the war but were rebuffed by General Louis Botha, who said that coloureds should not concern themselves with a war between South Africa and Germany. Flag German South-West Africa (black), other German colonies in red Capital Windhoek (from 1891) Political structure Colony Governor  - 1898-1905 Theodor von Leutwein  - 1905-1907 Friedrich von Lindequist  - 1907-1910 Bruno von Schuckmann  - 1910-1915 Theodor Seitz Historical era The Scramble for Africa  - Established 7 August, 1884  - Genocide 1904... German troops in combat with the Herero in a painting by Richard Knötel The Herero Wars were a series of colonial wars between German forces and the Herero tribe of southwestern Africa. ... It has been suggested that Internment be merged into this article or section. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Combatants Allied Powers: Russian Empire France British Empire Italy United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary German Empire Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Commanders Nicholas II Aleksei Brusilov Georges Clemenceau Joseph Joffre Ferdinand Foch Robert Nivelle Herbert Henry Asquith Sir Douglas Haig Sir John Jellicoe Victor Emmanuel III Luigi Cadorna Armando Diaz Woodrow... Louis Botha Louis Botha (September 17, 1862-August 27, 1919) was an Afrikaner and first Prime Minister of the modern South African state, then called the Union of South Africa. ...

Some Basters continue to push the legitimacy of the Free Republic of Rehoboth. It is claimed the republic was recognised by the League of Nations and that according to international law, the Republic should retain the status of a sovereign nation. In 1952, the Basters presented a petition to the United Nations to this effect, with no visible result. In 1979, South Africa offered the Basters self determination if they fought against South-West Africa People's Organisation, the Namibian independence movement. The Basters refused, deciding to remain neutral and settling instead for a semi-autonomous Baster homeland (known as “Baster Gebiet”) based around Rehoboth, similar to the South African bantustans. Baster Gebiet would exist until 29 July 1989 and the imminent independence of Namibia. The League of Nations was an international organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference, 1919. ... Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme political (e. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... For the song by The Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... Self-determination or the right to self-determination is a theoretical principle that a people ought to be able to determine their own governmental forms and structures. ... The South West Africa Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) is a political party and former liberation movement in Namibia. ... Unofficial Flag of Rehoboth Rehoboth (or Basterland) was a bantustan in South West Africa (present-day Namibia), intended by the apartheid government to be a self-governing homeland for the Baster people. ... Map of the black homelands in South Africa as of 1986 Map of the black homelands in Namibia as of 1978 Bantustan is a territory designated as a tribal homeland for black South Africans and Namibians during the apartheid era. ... July 29 is the 210th day (211th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 155 days remaining. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Many Basters continue to seek autonomy for their affairs and Baster nationalism is represented in the Namibian political process through the Rehoboth Freedom Party. Many Basters remain suspicious of the Namibian government, especially in the extension of suffrage to women; although not explicitly clear, the 1872 Constitution of the Baster Community does not provide for female leaders or women being given the vote. The tradition of the Basters can also be seen by the fact that they have had only three leaders (known as "Kapteins") since 1872; Hermanus van Wyk, the 'Moses' of the Baster nation who led the community to Rehoboth from South Africa, Johannes "Hans" Diergaardt and John McNab.

While the current numbers of Basters remain unclear (figures between 20 000 and 40 000 are given), the Basters are concerned that their unique heritage will be lost in a modern Namibia led by the descendants of the people whose anti-colonialist rebellions the Baster helped to quell.

References

• Orizio, R. (2001) Lost White Tribes, Free Press, New York. ISBN 0-7432-1197-9
• Omer-Cooper, J.D. (2006) History of Southern Africa, James Currey Ltd., Oxford. ISBN 978-0-85255-715-0

External links

• Rehoboth Basters Information on the history of the Baster community in Namibia