When the Voortrekker’s (pilgrims) left the Cape in the 1830s for The Great Trek (journey), their mode of transport was the large wagon which was pulled by oxen.
These wagons became the homes of the men and women who were looking for land on which to settle.
The oxen were driven by the men over land that had never felt the rumbling of large wooden wheels.
The wagon was large and had plenty of space inside.
The women and children would ride in the back of the wagon that also carried their supplies and belongings.
My family and I had the opportunity to look at these wagons when we visited the Voortrekker Monument. It was interesting to see these lifelike displays of a moment in South African history.
These men and women travelled great distances using this mode of transport. It was not always easy: wheels broke as they traversed rocky land, and difficulties occurred as they crossed rivers and climbed mountains. Today, motorists can cross the same distance in cars using smooth highways and roads that have been carved into the landscape.
Would you have ventures out in these wagons?
(This post was inspired by Jake’s prompt: Transport)
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2014
Other posts I have written on the Voortrekker Monument:
The road, weather, condition of the wagon…. Hard to imagine how people had to go through.
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They went through difficult times. Added to the weather and the terrain was the fighting they did against the tribes they came across.
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I bet it was wonderful to see! Thanks for sharing.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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I had visited the monument before. My children, however, loved looking at the wagons and imagined pulling them 🙂
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I always thought I’d make a good gypsy, Colline, so I might have quite liked these covered wagons. A few mod cons would be nice though 🙂 Great choice for Jake’s.
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I can imagine you being a Voortrekker Jo with your sense of adventure. I think you would have been thrilled with the new experiences.
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Smooth highways? Not with all these potholes! Still, a much easier trek. Great post.
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To be honest, when I wrote the phrase I was thinking of the toll roads 🙂
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Although this would have been difficult, one advantage they had was the wagon used as both a travel vehicle and a home to sleep in. Just like travelling around the country in an RV as your home. Well, not exactly. 🙂 I imagine the wagon would be much more difficult, especially without garage service to help fix it up when a wheel broke!
Back then, the world belonged to everyone and no one, didn’t it? Today, I try to imagine a wagon that the homeless could live in, but then where would they park it? This would be the problem.
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Back then the only people who prevented them from travelling where they wanted were the tribes people they came across. Not like today where you need permission to move from one country to the next.
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There is a law-based group who addresses the concerns of those who need permission to cross borders: No One Is Illegal. I do feel equivocal about this topic. Although I struggle with the possible outcomes of allowing anyone and everyone to cross your borders, I do find their concepts and ideas thought-provoking.
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If people were allowed to cross borders with no prohibitions, I think there would be a surge of people entering the developed countries.
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I’ll never think about doing it today. Camping in a tent is already way too much!
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I also enjoy the modern conveniences of life 🙂
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Why not use it if it is there (at a higher cost )
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I agree.
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No matter the country, pioneers share a common bravery and determination. Hard to imagine the sacrifices they made.
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They must have felt that where they believed they were going was better than what they had come from. If they hadn’t moved over uncharted land, life may have been a little different for people after them, I think.
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I went in a Conestoga wagon with the kids in the USA which seems similar. I was shocked by how small it really is and they had all their belongings in there! Would I do it? Probably not, but I think people were hardier and less cosseted in those times than now.
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And I think they had a lot less material goods than we have today.
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Beautiful post Colline ..Thanks for sharing my friend 🙂
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I am glad you enjoyed it Jake. Certainly different to the type of transport I ride in every day 🙂
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A fantastic informative post Colline, researching the Boer war which Australia was involved in, these wagons were a part of life for the Boers.
A beautiful piece of history preserved.
Ian
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So true Ian. I enjoy looking at pieces of history that have been preserved in museums. It can be so interesting – and helps one understand a little the hardships they experienced.
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