Handel langs die vroegste roetes.

Abstract

• Opsomming: In 'n vorige artikel is die vroegste handelsroetes in die binneland van Noord- en Oos-Transvaal gerekonstrueer. Om meer lig op die handel self te werp, kom veral die handelsartikels, handelaars en handelspraktyke wat langs die ou roetes aangetref is, in hierdie opvolgartikel onder die soeklig. Talle argeologiese vondste lewer bewys dat veral artikels van koper, tin, yster en goud baie gesog was. Hierdie handelsvoorwerpe illustreer die materiële kultuur van die verskillende Swarts tamme langs die roetes, asook die kultuuroordrag wat deur interaksie met hulle handelsvennote, onder andere die Portugese, Arabiere en Hollanders, in die binneland sowel as langs die ooskus plaasgevind het. Die manier waarop sake gedoen is, bevestig 'n lewendige en goed georganiseerde handelstruktuur in 'n verskeidenheid artikels oor baie jare.

• Summary: In a previous article the earliest trade routes of the Northern and Eastern Transvaal interior were reconstructed. To shed more light on the trading itself, attention is directed in this follow-up article to the articles of trade, the traders, and the trading practices which were evident along the routes. Numerous archaeological discoveries point to the fact that articles of copper, tin, iron, and gold in particular were in great demand. These trading articles illustrate the material culture of the different Black tribes on the trade routes, as well as the transference of culture from the interaction with their trading partners (among whom were the Portuguese, Arabs, and Hollanders) which took place in the interior as well as along the east coast. The manner in which the trade was practised confirms that there was a lively and well-organised trading structure in a variety of articles and going back many years.