Khaik Ana Ma Koukoa of the Goringhaicona1

M, #17309, b. circa 1630

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Last Edited17/06/2019
Birth*Khaik Ana Ma Koukoa of the Goringhaicona was born circa 1630 in de Caep de Goede Hoop, the date is estimated.2
 
(Member) PeopleGroup Autshumao was the leader of the Goringhaicona, a very small group of Khoen which Van Riebeeck said comprised about 18 men. The number of women and children was not recorded, but if each of these men had a wife and just one child, the group would have numbered around 54. They occupied just four or five huts and they lived and mostly survived off beachcombing on the Cape peninsula at the time the VOC settlement began. They also traded with passing ships and later also with the settlers. Within a few years their numbers grew and they also became stock owners, and were employed by the settlers to do menial work. They were also known as the Watermans. The Goringhaicona included the following indidividuals: Khaik Ana Ma Koukoa, Krotoa, Hemoao Khatimaä, Hum Tha Saankhumma, Khamy, Khonomao Namtesij, Lubbert, Beijmakoukoa-Danhou, Pn, Pn, Boubo and Thoe Maka Koa.3 
NameImposedClaas Das is the name imposed on this individual by the settlers and is found recorded on 5 August 1659.4 
Names in the record, in publications, etc.Khaik Ana Ma Koukoa of the Goringhaicona was also known as Demtaä of the Goringchaicona.5
An unknown date , the name of Khaik was written in the record as Kaikana Makoukoa of the Khoe.4,6
8 July 1658, the name of Khaik was written in the record as Claes Das of the Goringhaicona.7
8 July 1658, the name of Khaik was written in the record as Claes Das.1
Company JournalOn 5 September 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: (Sunday). Herry again proposes to proceed inland with some soldiers to obtain cattle; the soldiers to take charge of the copper and tobacco to be carried by his oxen, especially to enable us to become acquainted with the distant natives and get them nearer, as well as some of their chiefs who were big captains or cadets as he said. Would not go without the soldiers, feared no harm for himself; would only accompany our men to teach them how to trade “and to serve as interpreter, to invite the natives and say to them these are Hollanders who have built houses at the Cape, never more to be broken down”: provided with copper, tobacco, beads, &c., to trade with them amicably, &c. Would leave all his people here to carry wood for the cooks for food, tobacco, and arrack; also Claes Das to act as interpreter during his absence. Would leave 3 of his cattle with us, and take the oxen with him to carry the goods; also some cows to provide milk for his family on the way. Proposed that he should leave his wives and children with us; told us their wives are always to accompany them, that no other men may approach them. Nor was it their custom to remain so long away from their wives. Many volunteers for this expedition.8
On 7 September 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: Expedition leaves, provided with 250lbs. bread, 80lbs. pork, 3 cheeses, 1 cask arrack and 1 ditto brandy; Herry leaves 3 of his cattle at the fort, also Claes Das and other Hottentoos to fetch fuel. It seems as if Herry is sincerely trying to benefit the Company; time will show.8
On 3 December 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: Hottentoos depasturing their cattle near the fort; the country as far as the mountain between this and Salt River being so stocked that we calculated the number of cattle at 20,000 – only obtained three cows and 7 sheep in spite of our best endeavours. Having asked our interpreter Claes Das why the natives would not sell cattle, notwithstanding their desire for copper and tobacco, he told us that they did not like to part with any, but that in a few days Herry would return with other people who would supply us abundantly, besides what Herry has obtained; those about here would leave as soon as it was fine weather because Herry was coming with other tribes. Again asked why these people would make way for the others, he said because Herry would come with people courted by us, whom they would not like to hinder but oblige as much as possible. Also asked whether those coming with Herry were the enemies of those here, he said no, but sometimes disputes arose when they took each other's cattle, and killed one another, but soon again made peace. It is evident that serious fights do take place, judging from the scars and wounds covering their naked bodies; it also appears that the Capemen have sometimes little and at other times much cattle which they say have been stolen from them and replaced by others taken from other tribes. The three soldiers return – had seen nothing.9
On 4 December 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: Had a fine day's trade – bought 52 head of cattle and 21 sheep from the natives last arrived – promised to bring some more to-morrow. If they return with as much, our copper plate will run out; trust to get on with the wire also, which they do not like so well. Das told us that the natives intend bringing so much cattle that all our copper would be exhausted, to have a good laugh at the Commander. This it will not take a long time to effect as regards the copper plates. If the good news be true time only can show.9
On 12 December 1655 in the Company Journal, as translated: (Sunday). Arrival of English ship, Jan Anthamis or Jan Baptist of 200 tons, Captain Thomas Poth, and merchant Nathaniel Davidts; on board; 24th April, from London and going to Bantam; had touched at Cape Verde, which it left on the 24th August: had lost in the long voyage of 8 months to this 10 men, and still had about 40 sick on board; requested to have refreshments and water; kindly allowed to take a lot of vegetables on board; also gave them 2 cows and 3 or 4 sheep, and allowed 10 or 12 of their sick into our hospital; were very grateful, and dined with the Commander, who bade them welcome. Sloop returns, having brought sheep to Robben Island; one had died; a large shed required there; do not possess the material. Obtained 6 cows and ditto sheep. Natives tell us that Herry is not inclined to serve as interpreter, but when ships arrive he is ready to fill his bags with bread, rice and wine; his copper had not been stolen, but he had exchanged it for cattle and sheep, so that he also had become a great Captain and asked very little after us, which we will discover more every day, &c. A certain Hottentoo called by us Doman, or Domine because he was such a very simple-minded man, and Claes Das having been asked by us whether this was true, affirmed it, adding that it was he who had stolen the Company's cattle 2 years ago, and that his sons had murdered the Dutch boy, telling us also how the whole was managed. Denied that the Capemen had anything to do with it, showing with evidence in what way Herry had with his gang committed the crime, against the wish of the Cape and Saldanha men. Capemen though unwilling to part with their cattle wished to be friends of the whites, and mediators between us and the Saldanhars in trade; and if we wished to prove what they had said we were to seize Herry, when he again came, when he would soon make a clean breast of it and send for his cattle, of which he has a large number, to regain his liberty. Being asked whether in case we did it, the Saldanha and Capemen would not run away thinking they might share the same fate, they said no, but on the contrary would be much obliged and more inclined to bring us more cattle, as no one feels kindly disposed towards Herry because he is such a big talker, and was continually rendering false reports from one side to the other. We might inquire from the son of the big Captain of the Capemen, and we would soon find out the feelings against Herry. Sent 5 men to the southern point of False Bay, where the men who had gone with Herry had found some mussels; each had to bring a bag full for us to examine.10

Citations

  1. [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.143. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives, JVR Journal II 1656-1658.
  2. [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.143. Hereinafter cited as Journal of Jan van Riebeeck Vol II 1656-1658.
  3. [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), p.9. cf.5,6. Hereinafter cited as The early Cape Hottentots.
  4. [S406] H.B. Thom, editor, Journal of Jan van Riebeeck Vol III 1659-1662 translated by J. Smuts from the original Dutch, (Cape Town, Amsterdam: A.A. Balkema, 1954), pp.61-62. Hereinafter cited as Journal of Jan van Riebeeck Vol III 1659-1662.
  5. [S846] I. Schapera, The early Cape Hottentots, The Goringhaikonas or Watermen5) are under a chief, whose native name is Demtaä,
    but our countrymen call him Klaas Das,...
  6. [S844] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, JVR Journal III, 1659-1662, H.C.V. Leibrandt; (Cape Town, South Africa: W. A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, Castle Street, 1897), p.62. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives, JVR Journal III 1659-1662.
  7. [S646] Precis of the archives, JVR Journal II 1656-1658, p.143. Herry appears before the Council once more. After a long examination, we gathered from him the names of his people, viz:–
         Autshumao, called by us Herry, the author of all the evil, &c.
         Khonomao Namtesy, alias Claes.
         Hemaoa Khatimaä, Herry's great servant; both murderers of the boy David, according to Herry's confession, but out of the way and not to be found.
         Khamy, alias Jan Cou, sheep-stealer.
         Boubo, alias Symon, also but doubtfully accused of the murder, and therefore imprisoned with Herry.
         Arre, Namtesy’s brother.
         Bymam-Kakoa-Danhou, alias Orenbare.
         Humtha Sankhumma..
         Khaik Ana Makouka, alias Claes Das.
         Thoo Makakoa, hit the other day by the sergeant with a charge of shot in his buttocks.
  8. [S673] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, December 1651 - December 1653[5], Van Riebeeck's Journal, &c. Part I, H.C.V. Leibrandt; (Cape Town, South Africa: W. A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, Castle Street, 1897), p.235. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives, JVR Journal 1651-1653[5].
  9. [S673] Precis of the archives, JVR Journal 1651-1653[5], p.249.
  10. [S673] Precis of the archives, JVR Journal 1651-1653[5], p.251.
 

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