Khoesan and Imperial Citizenship in Nineteenth Century South Africa

This book explores the formation and expression of Khoesan identity during Cape colonial society, emphasizing loyalism and subjecthood as resistance to settler colonialism. It argues that Khoesan actively created their identity as imperial citizens and that expressions of loyalty to the British Crown reflected a political and civic consciousness that transcended their racially defined place.

Format: Hardback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 24 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate and multifaceted dynamics of Khoesan identity during a pivotal era of integration into Cape colonial society. Khoesan and Imperial Citizenship in Nineteenth Century South Africa emphasizes loyalty and subjecthood, as conceptualized as imperial citizenship, as fundamental pillars of Khoesan resistance against the debilitating impacts of settler colonialism. The book posits that Khoesan actively contributed to the formation of their imperial citizenship identity, and expressions of loyalty to the British Crown reflected a political and civic consciousness that transcended their racially defined position in Cape colonial society.

Author Jared McDonald traces the historical trajectory from the mid-1790s to the late 1850s, examining the interplay of colonial law, evangelical-humanitarianism, imperial commissions of inquiry, and the abolition of slavery as pathways toward the notion of imperial citizenship. As the study of colonialism's histories and legacies gains increasing scrutiny, the history of the Khoesan during this period sheds light on the complex nature of power and its imposition, as well as the diverse and nuanced ways in which the oppressed respond, resist, and engage.

This book holds significant appeal to scholars and students engaged in the study of British imperialism in Africa, as well as the histories of settler colonialism, nationalism, and loyalism. It offers valuable insights into the complex interplay of identities, ideologies, and power dynamics that shaped nineteenth-century South Africa, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the historical context in which the Khoesan lived and struggled.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 235 x 159 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032320205