The Trekboers were groups of Dutch-speaking settlers, primarily of Dutch, French Huguenot, and German descent, who migrated inland from the Cape Colony in southern Africa during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were primarily cattle herders and farmers and played a crucial role in the history of South Africa.
The term "Trekboers" translates to "migrant farmers" in Afrikaans. They were known for their nomadic lifestyle, often moving seasonally in search of better grazing land for their livestock. The Trekboers became instrumental in expanding Dutch colonial influence in the region, often coming into conflict with indigenous peoples, such as the Khoikhoi and San.
The movement of the Trekboers into the interior of South Africa laid the groundwork for later migrations, including the Great Trek of the 1830s and 1840s, where many Trekboers moved further away from British control in the Cape Colony to establish independent Boer republics, such as the Natalia Republic and the South African Republic (Transvaal). The legacy of the Trekboers is significant in South African history, contributing to the development of Afrikaner identity and the complex dynamics of colonialism in the region.