From the Camps to Covid : an ethnographic history of Boererate amongst Afrikaans women

Abstract

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Afrikaans women in South Africa harnessed the power of Boererate not only as a healing tradition but as a living, adaptive agent with the ability to connect people and subtly reshape social dynamics. This thesis traces the roots of Boererate back to the concentration camps during the South African War, where Boer women, due to limited resources and the ban on Dutch medicines, cultivated this enduring indigenous healing practice. Utilising a comprehensive research methodology, including digital ethnography, interviews, and post-lockdown observations, this study reveals the multifaceted nature of Boererate. It acts as a connecting force, safeguarding cultural identity, and providing an alternative lens to challenge – and sometimes compliment – the dominant biomedical narrative. Beyond healing, Boererate subtly influences individuals and communities in alignment with established cultural norms. It provides a unique perspective on the living essence of indigenous knowledge systems and their role in cultural preservation and social transformation. Boererate is shown to be an active agent, uniting and dividing people across generations, promoting cultural resilience. The evidence presented suggests that as people make Boererate, it also – at least partially – makes them.