Difference between revisions of "Kaatje Kekkelbek or Life Among the Hottentots"

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[[Kaatje Kekkelbek,  or Life Among the Hottentots]]'' (or ''[[Caatje Kekelbek,  or Life Among the Hottentots]]'') is a sketch in verse and prose, in the form of a "comic song", by [[Andrew Geddes Bain]] and [[George Rex]]. (Though the father [[George Rex]],  was long seen as the author, [[Ludwig Binge]] - 1969, pp3-4 - argues convincingly for the son, [[Andrew Rex]].) There is also some uncertainty about the first performed Grahamstown, with both Laidler (1925) and Fletcher (1991) saying  25 October 1838, Du Toit 5 November 1839, and F.C.L. Bosman arguing that at the earliest it could have been in  1844. First published in [[Sam Sly]]’s [[Journal Space]] 1846, also reproduced in Bosman (1928) pp. 541-543 and in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Geddes_Bain).
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''[[Kaatje Kekkelbek,  or Life Among the Hottentots]]'' (or ''[[Caatje Kekelbek,  or Life Among the Hottentots]]'') is a sketch in verse and prose, in the form of a "comic song", by [[Andrew Geddes Bain]] and [[George Rex]]. (Though the father [[George Rex]],  was long seen as the author, [[Ludwig Binge]] - 1969, pp3-4 - argues convincingly for the son, [[Andrew Rex]].)  
  
  
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== The text and performance ==
  
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Generally accepted as the first piece of performed stage writing incorporating "kitchen-Dutch", or [[Afrikaans]]. Very popular and apparently performed a number of times over the years, esp.  between 1834 and 1843. Possibly also in Cape Town (see [[P.W. Laidler]], 1926). The central character of "[[Caatje Kekelbek]]" (or "[[Kaatje Kekkelbek]]", as she is more commonly known today), the fiery and articulate housemaid, has become a stock figure in a number of South African works over the years, including plays by [[Stephen Black]] and [[Guy Butler]]. (See further Binge pp 4-5 for the general influence of this song, especially on the [[Afrikaans]] literary and playwriting tradition.)
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Generally accepted as the first piece of performed stage writing incorporating a large chunk of "kitchen-Dutch", or [[Afrikaans]]. Very popular and apparently performed (most probably in various forms) a number of times over the years.  
  
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== Full text ==
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There is also some uncertainty about the first performed Grahamstown, with both Laidler (1925) and Fletcher (1991) saying  25 October 1838, Du Toit 5 November 1839, and F.C.L. Bosman arguing that at the earliest it could have been in  1844.
  
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There are a number of versions of the original text apparently. The following version is the one originally published [[P.W. Laidler]] (1926)  and reproduced as ''Appendix X'' in his 1928 in his history of South African theatre by [[F.C.L. Bosman]]:
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Originally published as ''[[Caatje Kekelbek,  or Life Among the Hottentots]]'' in [[Sam Sly]]’s [[Journal Space]] 1846, also reproduced in its entirety in Laidler (1926: pp. 41-44). Only the first stanza is reproduced (from Laidler) by Bosman (1928, Appendix X: pp. 541-543)  and the ''Wikipedia'' entry on Andrew Geddes Bain[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Geddes_Bain].  
  
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My name is Kaatje Kekkelbek,
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The central character of "[[Caatje Kekelbek]]" (or "[[Kaatje Kekkelbek]]", as she is more commonly known today), the fiery and articulate housemaid, has become a stock figure in a number of South African works over the years, including plays by [[Stephen Black]] and [[Guy Butler]].  (Laidler for example makes the comment in his 1926 publication that "Kaatje" is well to Capetonians. See further Binge pp. 4-5 for the general influence of this song, especially on the [[Afrikaans]] literary and playwriting tradition.)
  
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I come from Kat Rivier,
 
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Daar’s van water geen gebrek,
 
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But scarce of wine and beer.
 
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Myn A B C at Philip's school
 
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I learnt a kleine beetje,
 
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But left it just as great a fool
 
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As gekke Tante Meitje.
 
  
 
== Sources ==  
 
== Sources ==  
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[[Ludwig Wilhelm  Berthold Binge]]. 1969. ''Ontwikkeling van die Afrikaanse toneel (1832-1950)''. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.
 
[[Ludwig Wilhelm  Berthold Binge]]. 1969. ''Ontwikkeling van die Afrikaanse toneel (1832-1950)''. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.
  
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[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1928. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika'', Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: [[J.H. de Bussy]]. [http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bosm012dram01_01/]: pp.
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[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1928. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika'', Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: [[J.H. de Bussy]]. [http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bosm012dram01_01/]: pp. 389, 413, 389, 496, 506-7, 541-543
  
 
[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp.
 
[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp.

Revision as of 07:04, 8 April 2017

Kaatje Kekkelbek, or Life Among the Hottentots (or Caatje Kekelbek, or Life Among the Hottentots) is a sketch in verse and prose, in the form of a "comic song", by Andrew Geddes Bain and George Rex. (Though the father George Rex, was long seen as the author, Ludwig Binge - 1969, pp3-4 - argues convincingly for the son, Andrew Rex.)


The text and performance

Generally accepted as the first piece of performed stage writing incorporating a large chunk of "kitchen-Dutch", or Afrikaans. Very popular and apparently performed (most probably in various forms) a number of times over the years.

There is also some uncertainty about the first performed Grahamstown, with both Laidler (1925) and Fletcher (1991) saying 25 October 1838, Du Toit 5 November 1839, and F.C.L. Bosman arguing that at the earliest it could have been in 1844.

Originally published as Caatje Kekelbek, or Life Among the Hottentots in Sam Sly’s Journal Space 1846, also reproduced in its entirety in Laidler (1926: pp. 41-44). Only the first stanza is reproduced (from Laidler) by Bosman (1928, Appendix X: pp. 541-543) and the Wikipedia entry on Andrew Geddes Bain[1].

The central character of "Caatje Kekelbek" (or "Kaatje Kekkelbek", as she is more commonly known today), the fiery and articulate housemaid, has become a stock figure in a number of South African works over the years, including plays by Stephen Black and Guy Butler. (Laidler for example makes the comment in his 1926 publication that "Kaatje" is well to Capetonians. See further Binge pp. 4-5 for the general influence of this song, especially on the Afrikaans literary and playwriting tradition.)


Sources

http://www.thegreatkaroo.com/page/andrew_geddes_bain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Geddes_Bain

Ludwig Wilhelm Berthold Binge. 1969. Ontwikkeling van die Afrikaanse toneel (1832-1950). Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.

F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [2]: pp. 389, 413, 389, 496, 506-7, 541-543

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.

P.J. du Toit. 1988. Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika. Pretoria: Academica

Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: p.

P.W. Laidler. 1926. The Annals of the Cape Stage. Edinburgh: William Bryce: p.

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