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Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis
Bibliography: pages 134-142.
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| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Historical Studies
2016
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| _version_ | 1867614107197243392 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Hartley, Guy Frere |
| author2 | Penn, Nigel |
| author_browse | Hartley, Guy Frere Penn, Nigel |
| author_facet | Penn, Nigel Hartley, Guy Frere |
| author_sort | Hartley, Guy Frere |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Bibliography: pages 134-142. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/21705 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:46.992Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publishDateRange | 2016 |
| publishDateSort | 2016 |
| publisher | Department of Historical Studies |
| publisherStr | Department of Historical Studies |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/21705 Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis Hartley, Guy Frere Penn, Nigel Historical Studies Bibliography: pages 134-142. This thesis will aim to explore the relationship between the battle of Dithakong and 'mfecane' theory in connection with the growing critique led by Julian Cobbing. Essentially, it will be argued that certain aspects of 'mfecane' theory appear in fact tenable, with particular reference to the upheavals west of the Drakensberg in the years 1822-4, as the thesis seeks to establish the original version of events at Dithakong. Ever since Cobbing has questioned the fundamental tenets of 'mfecane' theory and suggested rather that the destabilizations within black society during the 1820's sprang from European penetration, there have been efforts to give his ideas academic credibility. Dithakong is one key event within the 'mfecane' diaspora that has been attempted to be explained without reference to African agency. Julian Cobbing, Jurg Richner and Jan-Bart Gewald have presented these alternative analyses which, although similar in broader intention, are distinct in detailed explanation. Whereas in the past, Dithakong has been viewed as a defensive battle against the threatening advance of a numerous and destitute 'mfecane' migratory group, the latest versions interpret the events in terms of a raid on an unprovoked and unaggressive people. Although noting the advances made by Cobbing and others, it will be argued that with regard to Dithakong their analyses are forced and suited to meet the respective demands of their larger suppositions, which ultimately brings their singular Eurocentric theory of violence into question. To this end, certain elements within 'mfecane' theory require to be reconsidered. 2016-09-06T14:46:48Z 2016-09-06T14:46:48Z 1992 Master Thesis Masters MA http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21705 eng application/pdf Department of Historical Studies Faculty of Humanities University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Historical Studies Hartley, Guy Frere Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis |
| title_full | Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis |
| title_fullStr | Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis |
| title_short | Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis |
| title_sort | dithakong and the mfecane a historiographical and methodological analysis |
| topic | Historical Studies |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21705 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hartleyguyfrere dithakongandthemfecaneahistoriographicalandmethodologicalanalysis |