Publisher Description

William John Burchell (1781–1863) is remembered for this outstanding geography of South Africa, published in two volumes in 1822–4 and later taken on Darwin's Beagle voyage. It covers the first year of Burchell's 4,500-mile expedition into southern Africa from 1811 to 1815, while 'botanist to the Cape Colony'. The author returned to England with 500 scientific and ethnographical drawings, many of them used as illustrations in the book, and about 63,000 natural history specimens including 120 animal skins and 265 species of bird. His preface emphasises that his journal is accurate, independent and free from prejudice; he also claims that unlike many travelogues, his contains no 'indelicacies … offensive to decency'. Volume 2 covers February to August 1812, and focuses on ethnography. Burchell describes the indigenous peoples he encounters, their way of life, including music and dance, and notes many local words for artefacts, animals and plants.

Table of Contents

1. Journey from Klaarwater, to Kaabi's Kraal; 2. Transactions at Kaabi's Kraal; 3. Journey from Kaabi's Kraal, to the borders of the colony; 4. Journey from the borders of the colony, to the village of Graaffreynét; 5. Transactions at Graaffreynét; 6. Return from Graaffreynét, to the boundary of the colony; 7. Return from the colony, through the country of the Bushmen, to Klaarwater; 8. Transactions at Klaarwater, after the return from Graaffreynét; 9. Journey in the country of the Koras, from Klaarwater to Sensaván; 10. Journey from Sensaván, to the Kamhánni mountains; 11. Journey in the country of the Bachapins, from the Kamhánni mountains to the river Makkwárin; 12. Occurrences and observations at the river Makkwárin; 13. Journey from the river Makkwárin, to the town of Litakun; 14. Reception at Litakun; 15. Residence in the town of Litakun, and affair of the gun; 16. Transactions and occurrences during the first residence at Litakun; 17. General description of the town of Litakun; 18. General description of the Bachapins; The itinerary, and register of the weather; The zoological and botanical index; The general index.

Promotional

A celebrated two-volume geography and ethnography of southern Africa in 1811–15, by a British botanist, originally published 1822–4.

Promotional "Headline"

A celebrated two-volume geography and ethnography of southern Africa in 1811-15, by a British botanist, originally published 1822-4.

Description for Bookstore

Published 1822-4, this highly influential two-volume account of the interior of southern Africa derives from the journal kept by William John Burchell (1781-1863) during the first year of a 4,500-mile expedition from 1811 to 1815. It describes landscapes, flora and fauna, and the lives of indigenous peoples encountered.

Description for Library

Published 1822-4, this highly influential two-volume account of the interior of southern Africa derives from the journal kept by William John Burchell (1781-1863) during the first year of a 4,500-mile expedition from 1811 to 1815. It describes landscapes, flora and fauna, and the lives of indigenous peoples encountered.

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