Adventures in Swaziland: The Story of a South African Boer Informative Summary

Overview: This memoir, written by Owen Rowe O’Neil in 1921, offers a unique perspective on life in Swaziland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. O’Neil, a descendant of Boers who fled British rule during the Great Trek, was practically adopted by the Swazi royal family, providing him with unprecedented access to their culture and customs. The author details his experiences with King Buno and his mother, Queen Labotsibeni, witnessing their cruel and often brutal rule. He explores the complexities of the Swazi social structure, including their intricate system of scarification, a currency based on women and cattle, and their adherence to a strict moral code that often resulted in death. The book also delves into the role of witch-doctors in Swazi society, demonstrating their influence over the people and their supposed ability to perform miracles and curses.

O’Neil’s narrative reveals the turbulent political landscape of the time, marked by conflicts between the Boers, the British, and various indigenous tribes, and highlights the intricate relationships between these groups. He details the events surrounding Buno’s death and the ensuing power struggle for the Swazi throne, ultimately leading to the coronation of Sebuza, Buno’s son. Throughout the story, O’Neil’s experiences underscore the harsh realities of life in a land where power is held by a savage king and where tradition often reigns supreme.

Key Findings:

The Swazis are a powerful and warlike nation, known for their formidable warrior culture and brutal practices.
The Boers and the British, vying for control of the land, often relied on the Swazis as allies and paid tribute to the king to secure peace.
The Swazi royal family, often led by Queen Labotsibeni, wielded significant power and influence over the kingdom.
Despite the brutality of their rule, the Swazis adhered to a strict moral code with severe consequences for transgressions.
The role of witch-doctors was deeply ingrained in Swazi society, shaping their beliefs and influencing their lives.

Learning:

Scarification: Scarification, a form of body modification, was practiced by the Swazis as a means of marking status, lineage, and achievements, particularly in warfare. Women were typically scarred on the forehead or breasts, while men received a scar on the forehead for every enemy they had killed.
Women as Currency: In Swazi society, women were considered a form of currency, their value determined by their lineage and attractiveness.
Moral Code: The Swazi people were governed by a strict moral code that dictated specific punishments for transgressions, often leading to death. This code applied particularly to women, who were subject to harsh punishment for infidelity.
Witch-Doctors: Witch-doctors played a significant role in Swazi society, serving as healers, spiritual advisors, and arbiters of justice. Their influence extended to their supposed ability to control the weather, curse their enemies, and provide protection in battle.
Politics of Power: O’Neil’s account illustrates the complexities of political power dynamics between the Boers, the British, and the Swazis, highlighting the alliances, conflicts, and struggles for dominance that characterized the period.

Historical Context:

The Great Trek, a period of mass migration of Boers seeking independence from British rule, began in the 1830s.
The Boers, establishing various independent republics in Southern Africa, clashed with indigenous tribes, including the Zulus and the Swazis.
In the late 19th century, the British clashed with the Boers, leading to the First (1880-1881) and Second (1899-1902) Boer Wars.
The establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910 solidified British control over the region, bringing the Boer republics under British rule.

Facts:

The O’Neil family settled in the “Valley of Reeds” in the Transvaal, a region renowned for its fertile land.
The Boers often had Irish names, reflecting their complex historical roots and origins.
The missionaries played a pivotal role in stirring up tensions between the Boers and the British, ultimately leading to the Great Trek.
The Great Trek involved the mass migration of Boers seeking independence from British rule.
The Boers fought fiercely against indigenous tribes like the Zulus and the Basutus, conquering the Transvaal and Orange Free State.
The Zulus, under Dingaanzulu, murdered Piet Retief and his band of Boers, sparking further conflicts.
The annual Dingaan Day celebration commemorates the massacre of Retief and his people.
The Boers, known for their resilience and determination, endured incredible hardships during the Great Trek and their conquest of South Africa.
Maleuw, King of the Makateese, known as “The Lion,” was a skilled leader who waged war against the Boers.
The Makateese, known for their martial prowess, were defeated in a bloody battle that ended their threat to the Boers.
Jafta, King of the Mapors, was a formidable adversary of the Boers, engaging in constant conflicts with them.
The Boers paid tribute to King Buno of Swaziland to secure his alliance and avoid conflict.
King Buno, known for his cruelty and brutality, ruled Swaziland with an iron fist.
Queen Labotsibeni, Buno’s mother, was widely recognized as the power behind the throne and exercised a strong influence on her son.
The Swazis, with their unique traditions and customs, have no fixed religious observances but are deeply religious in their care of their teeth.
The Boers, a devoutly religious people, embraced strict moral codes and were deeply opposed to the brutal practices of the Swazis.
King Buno was known for his passion for gin, which he preferred to gold.
Witch-doctors played a vital role in Swazi society, serving as healers, advisors, and arbiters of justice, and often wielded immense influence over the people.
The Swazis believed in a powerful evil spirit who controlled the weather and could be influenced by rain-makers, a role often assumed by Queen Labotsibeni.
The Swazis practiced a “Poison Test” to settle disputes over ownership of cattle, with the individual who vomited after consuming a potent mixture considered the loser.
The Boers, known for their sharpshooting skills, were often in awe of their ability to kill animals in motion, particularly antelopes.
The Boers, valuing self-reliance and independence, seldom sought medical attention from others, making their survival a testament to their resilience.
The “flu” epidemic of 1918, arriving in Swaziland via a ship carrying Javanese laborers, ravaged the population and left a trail of devastation.

Statistics:

The O’Neil homestead at Rietvlei encompassed over 100,000 acres of fertile land in the Transvaal.
About ten thousand Boers participated in the Great Trek.
The Boer War (1899-1902) involved hundreds of thousands of soldiers.
The Boers claimed to have killed five Englishmen for every Boer killed in battle during the war.
O’Neil’s father, Slim Gert, served as the Minister of Finance in the cabinet of Oom Paul Kruger for six years.
Oom Paul Kruger offered to buy Delagoa Bay for £20,000, a price that would now be over £20 million.
Oom Paul Kruger commanded ten thousand Swazi warriors to bring King Buno to Pretoria for an audience.
O’Neil’s uncle, Oom Tuys Grobler, paid tribute to King Buno by bringing him £2,000 in gold and quantities of gin and champagne every month.
King Buno had 26 wives and an unknown number of children.
King Buno killed twenty Swazi warriors in a shooting contest, missing only three shots.
The Boers, during the Boer War, mobilized thousands of soldiers to fight the British.
Umzulek, a brother of King Buno, had over sixty wives and over 240 children.
Labotsibeni, a powerful and influential queen, lived for over one hundred years.
Swaziland’s population numbered over three hundred thousand, with more than 300,000 head of cattle owned by the Swazis.

Terms:

Assagai: A short stabbing spear used as a weapon by the Swazis and other indigenous tribes in South Africa.
Biltong: Dried beef cut into strips or chunks, commonly eaten by the Boers.
Commando: A military unit composed of Boer volunteers, primarily used during the Boer Wars.
Induna: A high-ranking chief or leader in Swazi society.
Impi: A large regiment of warriors, particularly used by the Zulus and the Swazis.
Kaffir: A derogatory term used to refer to Black Africans, particularly in Southern Africa.
Knobkerrie: A short club or cudgel used as a weapon by the Swazis.
Laager: A defensive formation created by Boers by arranging their wagons in a hollow square.
Muti: Traditional medicine or magic used by the Swazis and other indigenous tribes in Southern Africa.
Tswala: Kaffir beer, a fermented beverage commonly consumed by the Swazis.

Examples:

The author recounts the brutal massacre of Piet Retief and his men by Dingaanzulu’s Zulus, highlighting the savage nature of the Zulus and the danger faced by the Boers during the Great Trek.
The story of O’Neil’s first trousers and the subsequent fight that resulted in the loss of an eye illustrates the challenges faced by white children growing up in a world where they were often surrounded by Black Africans.
O’Neil’s account of the “shooting match” with King Buno demonstrates the king’s bloodthirst and cruelty.
The detailed description of the funeral sacrifice of the ten indunas, highlighting their stoicism in the face of death, provides a glimpse into the Swazi belief system and the importance of tradition.
The poisoning of two warriors over a dispute concerning a cow highlights the role of witch-doctors as arbiters of justice and the brutality of the “Poison Test.”
O’Neil’s attempt to bribe Queen Labotsibeni with gin and gold to secure permission to film the coronation highlights the influence of money and alcohol in Swazi society.
The events surrounding the “flu” epidemic aboard the ship illustrate the devastating effects of the disease and the challenges of healthcare in a pre-modern setting.
The story of the “blaau app,” or blue monkey, stolen from the farmer’s wife, exemplifies the author’s fondness for animals and the mischief that can arise when humans and animals interact.
The tale of “Matt,” the accountant with an enormous nose, illustrates the colorful personalities who populated Mbabane, Swaziland’s capital.
The incident of the stolen chickens, involving the Royal Commissioner and Mrs. Dickson, showcases the humorous side of life in Mbabane, revealing the absurdity of some situations and the unexpected power wielded by women.
The author’s own experiences as a physician, treating the sick and dying, particularly during the “flu” epidemic, provides a unique perspective on the challenges faced by medical practitioners in a pre-modern setting.
The author’s attempt to “pull a bluff” on Queen Labotsibeni by staging a fake war to force her to abdicate and allow Sebuza to be crowned king demonstrates the author’s cleverness and the complexities of navigating the Swazi political landscape.

Conclusion: Owen Rowe O’Neil’s “Adventures in Swaziland” offers a captivating glimpse into the unique and often brutal culture of the Swazis during a turbulent period in Southern Africa. The book provides valuable insights into the political dynamics of the region, the intricate relationships between the Boers, the British, and the Swazis, and the enduring power of traditions and customs in shaping the lives of the people. While the story showcases the cruelty and violence that characterized Swazi rule, it also reveals the resilience of the Swazi people, their unwavering commitment to their traditions, and their ability to adapt to change. O’Neil’s adventurous spirit and his unusual experiences in Swaziland make this memoir a fascinating and often humorous read, offering a window into a world that has since vanished.

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