While the primary migration of Boers, descendants of Dutch settlers in Southern Africa, was towards the interior of the continent during the Great Trek in the 19th century, there were instances of Boers moving to Angola, particularly during times of conflict and political changes.
The turbulent period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Southern Africa saw the Boers engaged in conflicts with the British Empire, leading to the Anglo-Boer Wars. Some Boers sought refuge and new opportunities outside the territories controlled by the British.
In the aftermath of the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), a group of Boers, disillusioned by British rule and economic challenges, looked beyond the borders of the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. Angola, a Portuguese colony at the time, presented an alternative for those seeking new horizons.
The Boers faced challenges adjusting to the unfamiliar terrain and climate of Angola. They encountered resistance from indigenous communities and struggled with diseases such as malaria. Despite these difficulties, some Boers established themselves in Angola, engaging in agriculture and contributing to the local economy.
However, their presence in Angola was relatively limited compared to their migration within Southern Africa. The majority of Boers remained concentrated in territories that later became part of the Union of South Africa.
The Boers in Angola were not a homogeneous group, and their motivations varied. Some sought economic opportunities, while others aimed to escape British rule. The Portuguese authorities in Angola were initially receptive to these settlers, viewing them as potential contributors to the development of the colony.
In the broader context of Southern African migrations, the Boer movement to Angola remains a relatively lesser-known episode, overshadowed by the larger historical narratives of the Great Trek and Boer conflicts with the British.
Timóteo Correia
