King Akembie of the Namaqua1
M, #17477, b. between 1591 and 1601
BirthOrigin* | Akembie was presumably born between 1591 and 1601, somewhere in the area now known as Namaqualand. He was said to be 60 to 70 years old in 1661.2,3 |
(Leader) PeopleGroup | In 1662 Akembie was the leader of the Namaquas, a group whom Van Riebeeck described as of very tall stature, almost like half giants. He said they were dressed in beautifully prepared skins and mightily rich in cattle.4 |
Citations
- [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), pp.235-240. p.235: Donckeman asked one of the most inferior looking among them who was the King of the Namaquas. He was pointed out to me, but even without that sufficiently distinguishable, as he is a man like a giant, much taller than Cattibou, the biggest slave of the Company, stationed at the 'Schuur.'
p.236: When we were nearing the kraal the King and his three sons, who were also tall fellows like their father, came forth to meet us.
p.237: The King is named Akembie, and about 60 or 70 years old; when he speaks he does so in well-considered words.. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives, JVR Journal III 1659-1662.
- [S844] Precis of the archives, JVR Journal III 1659-1662, 30 Jan 1661-11 March 1661, Journal of Pieter van Meerhoff's journey to meet the Namaqua king. p.235: Donckeman asked one of the most inferior looking among them who was the King of the Namaquas. He was pointed out to me, but even without that sufficiently distinguishable, as he is a man like a giant, much taller than Cattibou, the biggest slave of the Company, stationed at the 'Schuur.'
p.236: When we were nearing the kraal the King and his three sons, who were also tall fellows like their father, came forth to meet us.
p.237: The King is named Akembie, and about 60 or 70 years old; when he speaks he does so in well-considered words.
- [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), p.362: For the king or chief of the Namaquas, Akembie by name [list of gifts]. Hereinafter cited as Journal of Jan van Riebeeck Vol III 1659-1662.
- [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), pp.93-94; 239-240. Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope.