Cross-Cultural Encounters: A Critical Examination of Missionary work among the Griqua people of Campbell,†1800-1871

This article examines the complex and multifaceted nature of missionary work among the Griqua people at Campbell, a remote station in what is now the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Established in the early 18th century, the mission station was a key site of encounter between European evangelicals and the indigenous Griqua population. Through a critical analysis of missionary records, diaries, and correspondence, this study reveals the intricate dynamics of cultural exchange, power negotiation, and spiritual transformation that characterized the missionaries’ work at Campbell. The research highlights the agency and resilience of the Griqua people, who selectively adopted and adapted Christian teachings to suit their own cultural, social, and economic needs. At the same time, the article exposes the tensions and contradictions inherent in the missionary project, including the imposition of European cultural norms, the suppression of indigenous practices, and the exploitation of Griqua labour. By situating the Campbell mission within the broader context of colonialism, imperialism, and the rise of Afrikaner nationalism, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex and often fraught history of missionary work in southern Africa. The Griqua people originated from the intermingling of indigenous Khoi-khoi and San people with European colonizers, primarily Dutch and French Huguenots, in the 17th and 18th centuries. They developed a distinct culture, language, and identity. The Griqua people settled in Griqualand west including Campbell. They established themselves as a distinct community, with their own leadership, customs, and traditions. They have people played a significant role in the early history of South Africa, particularly in Griqualand west named today, the Northern Cape. They established several independent Griqua states, including Griqualand West and Griqualand East.