19th century – 19th century
Cape Colony and Xhosa frontier
The Sixth Frontier War was a conflict between the British Colony and Xhosa forces in 1834–1835 during which the Mfengu shifted decisively toward British protection. Mfengu leaders refused to support an invasion of the Colony, protected missionaries and traders, and supplied intelligence to the British army. In May 1835, the colonial government declared them British subjects and relocated them to the Peddie District.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Sixth Frontier War forced the Mfengu to choose a position in a conflict they initially regarded as a struggle between the British and the Xhosa. A meeting held after the outbreak resolved that no Mfengu should participate in an invasion of the Colony. It also directed them to protect missionaries and traders and, where possible, to assist British military intelligence.
From December 1834 to May 1835, Mfengu couriers carried security messages between John Ayliff at Butterworth and the British army commander. They reported the activities of Gaika and Gcaleka Xhosa forces, while Ayliff passed information to the magistrate and civil commissioner at Grahamstown. Couriers regularly covered the 240-kilometre route between Grahamstown and Xhosa territory, often travelling at night.
The war brought the Mfengu into direct negotiations with Governor Benjamin D’Urban. While he was camping near Butterworth, Ayliff and his Mfengu protégés asked that the community be declared British subjects as a means of escaping what they described as Xhosa bondage. D’Urban granted the request on 3 May 1835, and British troops escorted the Mfengu population and its livestock toward the Peddie District.
The relocation had consequences beyond immediate security. The Mfengu were expected to assist Britain against the Xhosa, supply labour to the Colony and cooperate with missionaries. Their settlement in Peddie was also intended to weaken Xhosa power and establish a buffer zone between Xhosa territory and the British Colony.
19th century – 19th century
Cape Colony and Xhosa frontier
The Sixth Frontier War was a conflict between the British Colony and Xhosa forces in 1834–1835 during which the Mfengu shifted decisively toward British protection. Mfengu leaders refused to support an invasion of the Colony, protected missionaries and traders, and supplied intelligence to the British army. In May 1835, the colonial government declared them British subjects and relocated them to the Peddie District.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Sixth Frontier War forced the Mfengu to choose a position in a conflict they initially regarded as a struggle between the British and the Xhosa. A meeting held after the outbreak resolved that no Mfengu should participate in an invasion of the Colony. It also directed them to protect missionaries and traders and, where possible, to assist British military intelligence.
From December 1834 to May 1835, Mfengu couriers carried security messages between John Ayliff at Butterworth and the British army commander. They reported the activities of Gaika and Gcaleka Xhosa forces, while Ayliff passed information to the magistrate and civil commissioner at Grahamstown. Couriers regularly covered the 240-kilometre route between Grahamstown and Xhosa territory, often travelling at night.
The war brought the Mfengu into direct negotiations with Governor Benjamin D’Urban. While he was camping near Butterworth, Ayliff and his Mfengu protégés asked that the community be declared British subjects as a means of escaping what they described as Xhosa bondage. D’Urban granted the request on 3 May 1835, and British troops escorted the Mfengu population and its livestock toward the Peddie District.
The relocation had consequences beyond immediate security. The Mfengu were expected to assist Britain against the Xhosa, supply labour to the Colony and cooperate with missionaries. Their settlement in Peddie was also intended to weaken Xhosa power and establish a buffer zone between Xhosa territory and the British Colony.
Continue the journey
Other paths related to this story.