Basil Mills

185th Great Trek Celebrations

Introduction

185th great trek celebrations. 185th Great Trek Celebrations. Experience historical reenactments of Voortrekker life, traditional skills, and resilience at Karel Landman monument. A family event.

Abstract

Basil came to share with LAHS an experience he’d had at the 185th Great Trek Celebrations held at the Karel Landman monument on 16 December 2023. He had been invited to assist F.A.K. with some of the practical aspects of this event, which was a wonderful family gathering where children were able to sing, ride horses and play games. The Bathurst Agricultural Museum and Basil's SABRE (South African Battle Re-enactment Society) members demonstrated bygone skills, games, cooking, and the firing of a 200-year-old cannon. Different parts of the wagon were explained, how the Voortrekkers drew up into defence laagers, the resilience of the women in loading the muskets and treating the wounded in times of battle, and caring for the children in isolated and difficult times

Review

This abstract presents a descriptive account of the 185th Great Trek Celebrations, an event held on December 16, 2023, at the Karel Landman monument. The text, seemingly a report by Basil shared with the LAHS, details his involvement in assisting F.A.K. with the practical aspects of this family-oriented commemoration. It primarily serves as a narrative outline of the day's activities, focusing on community engagement and the re-enactment of historical elements associated with the Great Trek. As a report on a public historical event, the abstract highlights several commendable features of the celebrations. The described activities, including children's games, horse riding, and demonstrations by the Bathurst Agricultural Museum and SABRE (South African Battle Re-enactment Society), suggest a rich and interactive experience. The focus on bygone skills, cooking, cannon firing, and explanations of Voortrekker life—such as wagon use, laager defence, and the roles of women—indicates a comprehensive effort to educate attendees on historical practices and the resilience of the community being commemorated. Such events are crucial for fostering public engagement with history and cultural heritage. However, when assessed as a potential submission for an academic journal, the abstract reveals significant limitations. It lacks a research question, methodological framework, analytical depth, or engagement with scholarly discourse on historical memory, public history, or commemorative practices. The text is purely descriptive, detailing event logistics and activities rather than offering critical insight, interpretation, or broader implications. For a scholarly publication, this material would require substantial development to include theoretical framing, an analytical approach to the event itself (e.g., its politics, evolving interpretations, or social impact), and a grounding in relevant academic literature. In its current form, it is better suited for a newsletter, a historical society bulletin, or a cultural magazine.

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