| Last Edited | 26/05/2019 |
| PeopleGroup* | In 1657 Oedasoa and Gonnoma were leaders of the Cochoquas, a group whom Van Riebeeck described as living primarily in two groups. The first under Oedosoa living in the area surrounding Saladanha Bay, while Gonnoma lead the second group who lived somewhat inland from the first. Van Riebeeck said that together they numbered thousands of men, but does not mention women and children, whom together would most likely have outnumbered the men. Being pastoralists they moved frequently in accordance with the grazing needs of their herds. Included in their number was Koukosoa, who is described in the record as the chief of Oedasoa's kraals, the secunde of his army and his chief councillor. Among the members of the Cochoqua were the following: Namies.3 |
| (People) PeopleGroup | In 1657 Hosa may have been the leader of the Little Chariguriquas, a group whom Van Riebeeck also called the Hosamans, with the possible implication being that they were the people of Hosa. They were originally a tributory or subordinate group to the Namaquas. He said they lived around Saladanha Bay, and further south and tended to cattle belonging to the Cochoquas, to whom they had aligned themselves.4 |
| Notes | 31 October 1657 Krotoa of the Goringhaicona interpreted for the commander, Johan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck, in a meeting with the Saldanhars, actually the Cochoquas, a Khoe people from around Saldanha Bay. In this meeting Van Riebeeck learns for the first time of the Chobona who was said to rule over all the Cape natives, and whose ruler was an emperor or king, who was later revealed to be Chobona. It is unclear whether this was his name or his title acquired as king of the Chobana.5 |
Citations
- [S647] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Despatched 1652-1662 to which are added land grants, attestations, Journal of voyage to Tristan da Cunha, names of freemen, &c. Vol III, H.C.V. Leibrandt; (Cape Town, South Africa: W.A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, 1900), p.239-240. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope.
- [S846] I. Schapera, editor, The early Cape Hottentots: Olfert Dapper, Willem ten Rhyne en Johannes Gulielmus de
Grevenbroek (http://www.dbnl.org/index.php: DBNL digitale bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse letteren, 2011), Schapera: p.23-25 and footnotes.. Hereinafter cited as The early Cape Hottentots. - [S646] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, JVR Journal II, 1656-1658, H.C.V. Leibrandt; (Cape Town, South Africa: W. A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, Castle Street, 1897), p.80: We gathered that there was an emperor or king, who rulled over all the Cape natives and called by them Chobona. He lived far inland, and isl rich inl gold, which they called "Chory," and which is taken out of the sand. They also know to coin and stamp the coins, which they made as big as, or even bigger than, the palms of the hands.
p.89: but when we said that the large majority of Saldanhars considered the Chobona as their king, he replied that they were mad, as the great chief was the old stout man named Gogosy who lived among the biggest troop of the Caapmen, and who was acknowledged as such by all who dwelt on this side of the Great Berg River, ...
p.90: They had long hanging but no curled hair, as the Hottentoos.. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives, JVR Journal II 1656-1658. - [S647] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, pp.93-94; 239-240.
- [S405] H.B. Thom, editor, Journal of Jan van Riebeeck Vol II 1656-1658 translated by J. Smuts from the original Dutch, (Cape Town, Amsterdam: A.A. Balkema, 1954), p.80. The Commander spent most of the day communicating with the Saldanhars, by means of a girl named Eva, about 15 or 16 years old.... Hereinafter cited as Journal of Jan van Riebeeck Vol II 1656-1658.
