The Representation of Khoisan Characters in Early Dutch-Afrikaans Dramas in South Africa

Abstract

This article is an exploratory study of how Khoisan (so-called 'Hottentot' and 'Boesman') characters, as well as some of the other indigenous peoples of South Africa are portrayed in a few early Dutch-Afrikaans dramas; in particular Boniface's De Temperantisten, A.G. Bain's Kaatje Kekkelbek, some of Melt Brink's plays, and S.J. du Toit's Magrita Prinslo. In order to get a sense of the period (1832 - 1920) an introductory section focuses on the historical and cultural contexts in which Dutch-Afrikaans drama and theatre developed in this country. These contexts had a direct impact on this development and give some form of understanding as to why Dutch-Afrikaans theatre and English theatre developed so differently from each other. The role played by the emergence of the Afrikaans language (as well as Afrikaner Nationalism) within these contexts is also briefly discussed. The main focus of the article is finally on the portrayal of Khoisan characters as found in the four above-mentioned authors' work.