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Who Are the Boers?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 43,208
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The Boers were people who settled in the Transvaal region of South Africa in the 17th century. The term "Boer" is used to describe individuals who are descended from these original early settlers, along with people who are associated with Boer culture.

The word Boer is Dutch for "farmer," and it should come as no surprise to learn that many of the Boers were Dutch Protestants. The Boers also came from Germany, France, Ireland, England, Wales, Spain, Poland, Italy, and numerous other places, however, sharing the common cause of being conservative Protestants with an independent streak. They moved from the British Cape Colony into the interior of South Africa, establishing the Orange Free State and the Transvaal as independent republics.

The Boers are often associated with a nomadic lifestyle, perhaps because many of them traveled a long way from Europe and other areas to reach the independent areas. The Boers also moved to take advantage of changing resource availability and due to political pressures. Their society was characterized by strong nationalism, with the Boers banding together to protect their land holdings from outsiders, as well as strong Christian ideals.

In the mid-1800s, gold and diamonds were found in the Transvaal, and the Boers found themselves under attack from a variety of colonial powers which decided they wanted these riches for themselves. Through a series of conflicts which came to be known as the Boer Wars, the Boers attempted to protect their land, often utilizing a variety of guerrilla tactics to wear down the opposing side. Ultimately, the Orange Free State and Transvaal were annexed by the British Empire.

Many Boers left the region after the Boer Wars, while others remained in South Africa, People who self-identify as "Boer" are usually abstracting themselves from the larger Afrikaner community in Africa, the group of people who speak the language known as Afrikaans.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PublicPeople researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon939771 — On Mar 15, 2014

This article was very interesting but I really came here for an article about the Boer Wars, which I hope you will one day write. Thank you Authordor, for your short summaries of the wars.

By Authordor — On Dec 30, 2013
@Ravellu: There were two wars in the region. The first was from 1880-1881, where the South African Republic was successful in repelling the British invasion. The second was 1899-1902, where the Boer republics were converted to British colonies. These colonies were to become a part of the Union of South Africa in May of 1910.
By Ravellu — On Dec 30, 2013

When did the Boer Wars occur?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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