|
 |
||||||
| |
|||||||
Early
History |
|||||||
|
|
||||||
|
There is a fertile valley lying between the coastal belt and the Karoo, enclosed by the Langeberg and Swartberg mountain ranges. To call this region the Little Karoo is a misnomer . Geographically, geologically and scenically it is not part of the Karoo but supports unique features of it’s own that ensure its place as a very special part of South Africa. The region was referred to as Kannaland on a map produced in 1843, this name being derived from the genus, Kanna. This area has a higher rainfall than the Karoo, which gave rise to permanent populations of Quena or Hottentot people of the Attaqua tribe in the low lying floor of the valley and to the Bushmen / Khoisan, who inhabited the mountains. The Attaqua had a path, parts of which are still visible today, through the Langeberg, which followed the deep, and steep, ravine known as the Tradouw Poort. Tradouw is a Hottentot word meaning “the women’s poort or footpath”. The Attaqua had kraals on “the other side” of the mountains, round the village now known as suurbraak, known by them as xairu, meaning beautiful. Early visitors were Isaac Schrijver and his party, who were sent to this area in 1689 by Simon van der Stel and Lady Anne Barnard, who travelled in the Overberg and Little Karoo in 1798.
History After 1700 the settlers attracted to the remote corners of the Overberg, began searching for new land to farm. It began searching for new land to farm. It had to have an ample supply of water and the soil had to be fertile. The area around Barrydale was particularly desirable. The pathways and tracks through Tradouw Poort proved to steep for them to be turned into wagon routes and the journey via Cogman’s Kloof was both tedious and time consuming for those wishing to sell their produce in Swellendam. In 1867 plans were made for the construction of a road, to be built by convicts, through the Langeberg linking Swellendam and what is now the village of Barrydale. In time the farmers who settled on the lands in the valley at the top of the Tradouw Pass decided they wanted their own church and the chosen spot was at the point where the R62 and R324 meet. Thus the village owes its existence to both a church and crossroads. In 1878 land was purchased from the Coller brothers and the Dutch Reformed Community of Barrydale came into being on 8 September 1880, prior to which it had been under the jurisdiction of Swellendam. The village was named after James Barry, an early settler in the Overberg, who was not only a trader but acted as lawyer, agent and auctioneer, deputy sheriff and commandant of militia. He became a member of the legislative Council when representative government was granted to the Cape in 1854. In the early days of Barrydale there was a little in the village apart from nagmaal houses used by the farmers coming to the village to attend church. However, there was a school. After the collapse of the “Barrydale Empire”, William Sterner, who arrived as a “smous”, became Barrydale’s financial success story owning the general dealer shop, the hotel, the draper’s, the shoemaker’s and the gunsmith’s. Barrydale grew over the years and by 1921 the Municipality was established. The Barrydale Koöperative Wynkelder was formed in 1940 and distillery set up. The farmers were encouraged to plant vineyards, and orchards, growing fruit for canning and export. Barrydale, like all little Little Karoo villages, has known times of hardship and prosperity. Today is the centre of a prosperous farming district, it enjoys perfect year round weather and its wonderful scenic setting attracts a steadily growing number of visitors.
References: •
The Little Karoo: Joe Burman |
|||||||
