Social Life in the Cape Colony with Social Customs in South Africa in the 18th Century by C. Graham Botha

Social Life in the Cape Colony with Social Customs in South Africa in the 18th Century by C. Graham Botha is a fascinating and highly regarded work of South African social history. Originally published in 1926 and reissued due to continued demand, this classic study offers readers a vivid glimpse into everyday life at the Cape during the Dutch colonial period. Botha, one of South Africa’s most respected historians and archivists, draws extensively on contemporary records, correspondence, official documents and personal accounts to reconstruct the customs, traditions and social structures that shaped life in the Cape Colony during the eighteenth century.

Social Life in the Cape Colony explores a wide range of subjects, including family life, marriage customs, education, religion, entertainment, fashion, food, architecture and the relationships between the various communities that inhabited the colony. Rich in detail and scholarly insight, the book remains an important reference for historians, genealogists, researchers, collectors of Africana and anyone interested in the cultural foundations of South African society.

This 1973 third edition from the respected Africana publisher C. Struik continues to be sought after by collectors and readers interested in Cape colonial history. Social Life in the Cape Colony provides valuable historical context and remains one of the classic studies of social conditions in early South Africa.

An increasingly desirable addition to any Africana collection, particularly for those interested in Cape history, genealogy, colonial studies and the development of South African social customs.

Condition – Good

1973 third edition hardcover without dust jacket. The boards remain sound and the binding is secure. The book is extensively annotated with pencil notes throughout, affecting collectability but not readability. A solid reading and research copy.