Skip to main content

Book 3: Migration, Land and Minerals in the Making of South Africa - Glossary

Published date

Last updated

From the book: Book 3: Migration, Land and Minerals in the Making of South Africa commissioned by The Department of Education

accentuate- to make more noticeable or prominent

alluvial- deposits left by flowing flood water in a river valley

assimilation- absorption and integration of the people, ideas or culture of another society

catalyst- a person or thing that causes an event or process to happen

encroachment- gradual and steady intrusion on a person’s property or rights

Eurocentric- regarding European culture as superior and more important than others

globalisation- international integration, especially in terms of world trade, financial markets and communication technology. This is often associated with the dominance of the world’s wealthy countries

historiography- the study of the writing of history and of written histories
impi- a Zulu fighting regiment

institutionalise- to establish as normal in an organisation or culture
lobola- a bride-price, usually paid in cattle

magnate- a wealthy and influential person, especially in business

proletarianise- to turn into a member of the working class

reef- a vein of gold or other ore

stockaded villages- villages that were protected from attack by walls all around them. The walls were usually made from upright wooden stakes or posts

sub-imperialism- the use of local forces to serve imperial purposes