The Historiographical Development of the Concept “mfecane” and ...

which there was a preponderance of missionary authors, who shaped the
mfecane narrative for later authors to copy. Most writers followed the
methodology of Arbousset, who claimed that their accounts were based on
interviews with “wise old men”. In spite of this, blind repetition of ideas
dominates the writings on mfecane history, with no critical examination of
sources being undertaken. Nonetheless, there were a number of authors who
during this period introduced ideas contrary to the accepted mfecane narrative.
These ideas were either ignored or in time incorporated into the dominant
discourse, because they remained within the scope of the European “Image of
Africa”.
The authors in this period all accepted the skeletal outline of mfecane
historiography that was in existence in 1838, fleshing it out with their many,
sometimes conflicting, details. Authors travelled much further during this period
and thus lifted the veil that had hitherto lain over many areas of the “blank
space”. This resulted in new information being introduced into the mfecane
narrative. The most significant new element was the emergence of the greater
Caledon Valley area as a major theatre of mfecane wars. Arbousset and
Casalis were responsible for adding this additional limb to the skeleton of
mfecane historiography. As a result it became possible to record and publish for
the first time the history of hitherto unknown chiefdoms, such as the Kololo, the
Rolong of Sefunela and the Pedi. Thus, the structure, as regards major
geographic areas and mfecane actors, was more or less complete by 1846.
The first introduction of a number of less significant elements, which were to
become important in periods covered in subsequent chapters, can be found in
the texts of this period. Two research methods were used for the first time in
mfecane historiography. Both the collection of African oral testimonies, first
undertaken by Arbousset, and the edited printing of official and private
documents, as done by Chase, were to become important aspects of the
construction of texts in the ensuing periods. The first history of the Cape Colony
focused on the actions of colonists, with Africans being regarded only as
obstacles to be overcome by the settler heroes, an approach that would be
popular with later writers. Brooks was the first author to use a simplistic, popular
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