The first group of the so-called Thirst-land Pioneers (“Dorslandtrekkers” in Afrikaans), later also known as the Angola-Farmers (“Angola Boere” in Afrikaans), arrived in Angola in 1881. It was on the eve of the Congress of Berlin. There exists no real connection between the two events, but in the “scramble for Africa”, which had reached its climax during this time; Portugal endeavored to consolidate the areas in Africa it could lay claim to. In this regard any white colonists, such as the Boers, were most welcome in Angola.

The first group, comprising of...