| EENBOOM GAME FARM |
ABOUT EEN BOOM
The farm's registered name is Vlakterand, but locals have for centuries referred to it as Eenboom, a name it derived from a very big and ancient old blue gum tree that was visible for miles around. Local lore has it that the name was first given by a Khoisan tribe that inhabited the area at the beginning of the 19th century. While the original Eenboom tree still stands, today, however, there are more large blue gum trees on the farm.
Millions of years ago the entire area was covered by the sea, which, after having receded, left behind the natural rock and soil formations so typical of the region. At some point a massive volcanic eruption also added its artistry to the spectacular scenery of the area. A map dating back to 1843 shows the name for the larger area as being Kannaland. The name Kannaland is derived from ganna, a species of succulent. Ancient people living in the area discovered that when chewing the ganna, they experienced hallucinations.
Once the haunt of wandering tribes of Khoi and San (Bushmen), the area was later settled by European settlers and their descendants.
The farm of Eenboom was settled along with other farms in the area after 1700 when the settlers attracted to the remote corners of the Overberg, closer to the coast, began searching for new land to farm. Their requirements were an ample supply of water and the soil had to be fertile. The area between Barrydale and Montagu, where Eenboom is situated, was found to be particularly desirable. Eenboom was first settled by farmers of European origin around the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century. While most of Eenboom remained totally unspoilt wilderness area, the small part that had once, many years ago been farmed commercially, had long ago been returned to nature after farming activities ceased .
|
|