Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis

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dc.contributor.advisorPenn, Nigelen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHartley, Guy Frereen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-09-06T14:46:48Z
dc.date.available2016-09-06T14:46:48Z
dc.date.issued1992en_ZA
dc.descriptionBibliography: pages 134-142.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis 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.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationHartley, G. F. (1992). <i>Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Historical Studies. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21705en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationHartley, Guy Frere. <i>"Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Historical Studies, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21705en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationHartley, G. 1992. Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Hartley, Guy Frere AB - 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. DA - 1992 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 1992 T1 - Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis TI - Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21705 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/21705
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationHartley GF. Dithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysis. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Historical Studies, 1992 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21705en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Historical Studiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherHistorical Studiesen_ZA
dc.titleDithakong and the 'mfecane' : a historiographical and methodological analysisen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMAen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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