Gonnoma of the Cochoquas1
M, #18893, b. circa 1630, d. 1689/90
| Last Edited | 01/01/2018 |
| BirthOrigin* | Gonnoma was most likely born in the area deeper inland from modern day Saladanha Bay perhaps circa 1630. The date is estimated based on his leadership status in 1661.1 |
| Death* | He died in 1689/90.1 |
| (Leader) 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.2 |
| Notes | On 10 January 1672 Kkarré of the Cochoquas, Dhaurrij of the Cochoquas, Ttentshe of the Cochoquas, Achtonij of the Cochoquas and Chamtagou of the Cochoquas were apprehended near the cavalry stables after they were said to have attacked and seized a free shepherd and robbed him of everything in his pockets. They were subsequently identified as from the same people as Gonnoma of the Cochoquas.3 On 11 January 1672 some Cochoqua sent by Gonnoma of the Cochoquas arrived at the Fort with 8 beautiful cattle and 5 beautiful sheep, to exchange for the release of their fellow Cocoqua, namely Kkarré of the Cochoquas, Dhaurrij of the Cochoquas, Ttentshe of the Cochoquas, Achtonij of the Cochoquas and Chamtagou of the Cochoquas. However, they were sent back without their request being heard by an official.4 On 24 January 1672 the delegation sent by returned yet again with even more cattle to exchange for Kkarré of the Cochoquas, Dhaurrij of the Cochoquas, Gonnoma of the Cochoquas, Ttentshe of the Cochoquas, Achtonij of the Cochoquas and Chamtagou of the Cochoquas. This too was rejected.5 On 31 October 1672 some delegates sent by Gonnoma of the Cochoquas who were also relatives of Kkarré of the Cochoquas, Dhaurrij of the Cochoquas, Ttentshe of the Cochoquas, Chamtagou of the Cochoquas and Achtonij of the Cochoquas, the five Cochoqua banished to Robben Island, came to the Fort to offer the governor Isbrand Gosken, ten choice cattle as a ransom in exchange for their relatives. The governor refused to meet with them nor were they successful in securing the freedom of their kin.6 |
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.
- [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. - [S664] H.C.V. Leibbrandt Compiler, (Castle Street, Cape Town: W.A. Richards & Sons, 1902), p.40.During the afternoon the mounted guard brought in five wanton Hottentoos tied to one another with ropes and charged with having attacked and seized a certain burgher shepherd in the veld near the Cavalry stables, searched his pockets, and robbed him of everything they contained. They were also on the point of carrying away with them a large portion of his troop of sheep, but the mounted guard had followed them with their horses, and recovered the booty from their thievish hands. [Upham notes these were the individuals.]. Hereinafter cited as Journal 1671-1674, 1676.
- [S664] H.C.V. Leibbrandt Compiler, Journal 1671-1674, 1676, pp.40-41.During the afternoon some Hottentoos brought us, nominally for the redemption of their 5 incarcerated comrades, 8 beautiful young cattle and 8 similar sheep, but they had to return unheard, as the wantonness of that nation is daily becoming more extravagant, so that an exemplary punishment is required as a deterrent to others, and the more so, as the prisoners belong to the tribe of Gounoma, by whose doings last year two of the burghers had been so cruelly massacred.
- [S664] H.C.V. Leibbrandt Compiler, Journal 1671-1674, 1676, pp.42-43.The men of Gounema's kraals again appear at the fort in the afternoon, in order once more to request the liberation of the incarcerated for a considerable number of cattle, which they had brought with them, but the smoke of their sacrifice was beaten down and rejected as unpleasant, so that they returned in the evening to their huts as wise as they came.
- [S664] H.C.V. Leibbrandt Compiler, Journal 1671-1674, 1676, p.85. Some Hottentoos of Gounema's kraals and relatives of the five convicts on Robben Island this day offered the Governor ten beautiful choice head of cattle as a ransom for the five, but they could obtain neither audience nor their wish.
