Quellen zur Kolonialgeschichte 2

Introduction

S. Garforth Pearson was just one of many anonymous Englishmen who played a role, however small, in the European colonial period of African history. He was a mining engineer, and an employee of the South West Africa Company, Ltd., an Anglo-German mining and con-cessionary company founded in 1892 and operating in what was then the German colony of South West Africa. And he would have remained more or less anonymous except for the fact that he kept a diary that gives an account of the northern part of the Kaokoveldt expedition that his company undertook in 1895–1896.

His perceptions of Africa, and particularly southern Africa, were not different from other Victorian English-men. He was confident of the superiority of European, particularly English culture, found the African peoples he encountered primitive and poor, distrusted the Boer whom he considered primitive also, and as a good Victorian evangelical was appalled by the drunken state of Europeans in German South West Africa. But his diary still is very revealing about the conditions of the European occupation of Namibia in the late nineteenth century. Particularly interesting are his observations concerning the German colonial figures he encountered. The South West Africa Company, Ltd. had an almost official relationship with the German colonial authorities. Pearson was sent by the company to explore the Kaokoveldt region for any mineral resources, particularly gold, and that mineral was not only the chief object of his searches, but it also occupied his imagination as well.

His careful, and frequently arrogant, narrative presented here for the first time includes important information on ‘trekking’, the geography and wildlife of Namibia, gold mining frauds, white traders, the German colonial soldier, European towns, European-Boer, and European-African ‘race relations’ in the very young German colony of South West Africa. The African people are seen through the biased eyes of a nineteenth century Englishmen confident of his moral and cultural supremacy. Yet Pearson does provide fascinating glimpses into the cultures and individual lives of the people he encounters. How nice it would be to hear their side of the story, to have their reminiscences recorded. But at least we must be thankful for a chance to learn more about them albeit through the eyes and life of another.

Excerpt

Sunday 3rd Nov. 1895: Settle accounts with Omaruro people up to date and ride to waggon overtaking it at midday. Owing to the drunkeness spoken of yesterday I was oblilged to work in order to finish the business. I have been wondering if all colonies are similar in this respect. It may be that as new inhabitants come here things will change.

Tuesday 5th Nov. 1895: Tremendous rains yesterday prevented good progress. After leaving Ozongombo a Damara came to the waggon demanding me to outspan [unyoking the oxen, ed.] as his “Chief” the son of Buaujo was coming to speak with me. I tell him that I will not stop and outspan when I make a trek […]. The Damara shouts loudly that his “Chief” is a big man and would not walk so far after a waggon. I expect his talk would be to the extent of begging tobacco or food.

Friday 8th Nov. 1895: Heavy rains on Tuesday night and Wednesday and slight rain last night […]. Meet boys with letters from the camp. They inform me that the waggon I sent from Omaruro is sticking in the mud at Pallanfontein. From the camp now removed to Otjitambe I receive information that the stock of provisions is very low and that I must order another load from Omaruro, to meet us at Otavi. I therefore ride on to Outjo that I may make some arrangements about the waggons. On the way find the waggon reported as in fact in the mud on its way to Outjo, consequently am not delayed. Arrive at Outjo about 8:30 p.m.

Sunday 10th Nov. 1895: Arranged yesterday with Lambert that he takes one load to Otjitambe in his waggon. This allows me to send back a company’s waggon for the load I have received from Tatlow.

Wednesday 13th Nov. 1895: Left Outjo on Monday last. At daybreak reach Mauatauga where I am asked to visit some sick Hottentots. This I do and promise to send back some medicines for the invalids from the camp. The ailments are with the women stomach and with the men the expected debility and rheumatisms.
Reach Otjitambe in the evening. Shortly after my arrival messenger arrives from Dr. Hartmann who has been camped at Otjiwurungo for some time. The doctor asks me to hurry to join him at Objiwurungo where he will wait for me.

Thursday 14th Nov. 1895: Buy today some slaughter oxen from a Swartboi who I understand is the richest Hottentot in the country. The prices he asks are rather high but he does not hesitate to take the figure I offer – average £ 2.61 per head. “David” the Swartboi chief sends word that he is waiting for me to come and greet him. I reply that David should not wait because it will be a long time – a very long time before I go to his place for that purpose, that he better come to my waggon to receive some monies. I have to pay him according to Dr. Hartmann’s request. Another 10 minutes he arrives and I give him a reception befitting the Swartboi Chief […].