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Jul 6, 2004Keywords:
Andrew Geddes Bain Eastern Cape literature satire
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Vroeë Oos-Kaapse tekste: Andrew Geddes Bain (1797-1864)
Abstract
Early Eastern Cape Texts: Andrew Geddes Bain (1797-1864) [Afrikaans]
Andrew Geddes Bain: fervent letter writer of satirical sketches of contemporary life, transport entrepeneur, military man, farmer, builder of bridges in the dry stone walling technique, autodidact, discoverer of the "Blinkwater Monster" fossil, as well as dramatist of “Kaatje Kekkelbek”. Andrew Geddes Bain's journal (1949) offers insights into a fascinating life in the Eastern Cape at the beginning of the eighteenth century. The journal of Bain reconstructs not only his own life, but also the multi-faceted daily life and interactions of the various communities in the colony. His sense of humour, intelligence, innovation and inquisitive mind make him an unforgettable colonial character, and his writings fascinating and endurable monuments, like his passes and bridges still standing in the Eastern Cape to this day. As forefather of South African geology and pioneer road builder, Bain may also be seen as forefather of the satirical tradition in South African literature.
Key Words: Andrew Geddes Bain, Eastern Cape literature, satire.
Vroeë Oos-Kaapse tekste: Andrew Geddes Bain (1797-1864)
Andrew Geddes Bain: ywerige briefskrywer van satiriese sketse oor sy omgewing, vervoerondernemer, militaris, boer, brugbouer volgens die droë muurtegniek, outodidak, ontdekker van die "Blinkwater Monster" fossiel en toneelskrywer van “Kaatje Kekkelbek”. Andrew Geddes Bain se joernaal (1949) bied insigte in die fassinerende lewe van die Oos-Kaap aan die begin van die agtiende eeu. In die joernaal herskep Bain nie net sy lewe nie, maar ook die veelfasettige lewe en interaksie van die verskillende gemeenskappe in die kolonie. Sy sin vir humor, intelligensie, vernuwing en nuuskierigheid het van hom ‘n onvergeetlike koloniale figuur gemaak, sy beskrywings is fassinerend en durende monumente net soos sy bergpasse en brue wat tot vandag in die Oos-Kaap gebruik word. Bain mag as sowel die voorvader van Suid-Afrikaanse geologie en pionier brugbouer as die satiriese tradisie in Suid-Afrikaanse literatuur beskou word.
Trefwoorde: Andrew Geddes Bain, Oos-Kaap literatuur, satire.
Tydskrif vir letterkunde Vol.41(1) 2004: 83-90
Andrew Geddes Bain: fervent letter writer of satirical sketches of contemporary life, transport entrepeneur, military man, farmer, builder of bridges in the dry stone walling technique, autodidact, discoverer of the "Blinkwater Monster" fossil, as well as dramatist of “Kaatje Kekkelbek”. Andrew Geddes Bain's journal (1949) offers insights into a fascinating life in the Eastern Cape at the beginning of the eighteenth century. The journal of Bain reconstructs not only his own life, but also the multi-faceted daily life and interactions of the various communities in the colony. His sense of humour, intelligence, innovation and inquisitive mind make him an unforgettable colonial character, and his writings fascinating and endurable monuments, like his passes and bridges still standing in the Eastern Cape to this day. As forefather of South African geology and pioneer road builder, Bain may also be seen as forefather of the satirical tradition in South African literature.
Key Words: Andrew Geddes Bain, Eastern Cape literature, satire.
Vroeë Oos-Kaapse tekste: Andrew Geddes Bain (1797-1864)
Andrew Geddes Bain: ywerige briefskrywer van satiriese sketse oor sy omgewing, vervoerondernemer, militaris, boer, brugbouer volgens die droë muurtegniek, outodidak, ontdekker van die "Blinkwater Monster" fossiel en toneelskrywer van “Kaatje Kekkelbek”. Andrew Geddes Bain se joernaal (1949) bied insigte in die fassinerende lewe van die Oos-Kaap aan die begin van die agtiende eeu. In die joernaal herskep Bain nie net sy lewe nie, maar ook die veelfasettige lewe en interaksie van die verskillende gemeenskappe in die kolonie. Sy sin vir humor, intelligensie, vernuwing en nuuskierigheid het van hom ‘n onvergeetlike koloniale figuur gemaak, sy beskrywings is fassinerend en durende monumente net soos sy bergpasse en brue wat tot vandag in die Oos-Kaap gebruik word. Bain mag as sowel die voorvader van Suid-Afrikaanse geologie en pionier brugbouer as die satiriese tradisie in Suid-Afrikaanse literatuur beskou word.
Trefwoorde: Andrew Geddes Bain, Oos-Kaap literatuur, satire.
Tydskrif vir letterkunde Vol.41(1) 2004: 83-90
