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The “Pioneer Men”: Making of Finnish Settler Identity in Southern Africa Pre-1914

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Finnish Colonial Encounters

Part of the book series: Cambridge Imperial and Post-Colonial Studies ((CIPCSS))

Abstract

This chapter approaches the origins of Finnish settler identity formation from the specific perspectives of ethnicity and migration, and is motivated by an attempt to highlight Finnish history within the framework and forming a part of the development of European and global colonialism. The research is also informed by scholarly discussions relating to Finnish national history and questions of Finnish identity. We maintain that Finns formed a defined group of settlers that has been a neglected social variable in the study of colonial identities in general and in colonial Southern Africa in particular. The case study of Finnish settler identity discussed here diverges from the existing literature on colonialism in the sense that the conventional image of Finland does not fit well with the traditional image of European Great Power colonialism in Africa. But a closer examination reveals that even European countries that never had overseas colonies were involved in the colonial world: Finns migrated to the colonial world and produced images of colonial “others”.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The research was supported by the Academy of Finland (Grant Number 343605).

  2. 2.

    For further information, see Särkkä (2020, 521–533).

  3. 3.

    For further information, see Anderson (1991).

  4. 4.

    Gann and Duignan (1978, ix–x).

  5. 5.

    On Eriksson’s many capacities in colonial Southern Africa, see Särkkä (2015, 75–99, 2016, 318–341, 2018, 141–160).

  6. 6.

    Hall (1996, 4–5).

  7. 7.

    It is nearly axiomatic that these questions over definitions emerge once an analysis informed by datasets is complemented with microhistorical case studies within a relatively condensed time framework. See, for example, Frigren’s conclusions in (2019b, 192).

  8. 8.

    See, for instance, various plaques commemorating pioneers in the Mining District Walk in Johannesburg. For further information, see Gann and Duignan (1962).

  9. 9.

    On discussion of this point in the context of Southern Africa history, see Parsons (2014, 222–223).

  10. 10.

    The diary hereafter cited as Eriksson (1932). All quotations from Finnish into English by the author.

  11. 11.

    FHA, PC, VKK95; VKK542; VKK871. The image captions are reproduced, where possible, with their original Swedish.

  12. 12.

    CTE, in possession of Roger Eriksson, the custodian of the collection.

  13. 13.

    For example, Östernottniska Posten 31 July 1895; 7 March 1896; Svenska Österbotten 25 October 1895; 10 March 1896; Norra Posten 14 March 1896; Vasabladet 5 February; 12 October 1895; Wasa Tidning 5 March; 27 July 1895.

  14. 14.

    Emigration and Immigration (1876–1912); Kuparinen (1991, 22–30).

  15. 15.

    Särkkä (2010); NA, HEL, Christening Records of the family Eriksson.

  16. 16.

    Eriksson (1932, 8, 10).

  17. 17.

    Kuparinen (1991, 118–120); Ojala et al. (2017, 598–599).

  18. 18.

    Frigren (2019a, 13–18); On Norwegian colonial encounters, see Bertelsen (2015, 1–22).

  19. 19.

    Eriksson (1932, 7–10).

  20. 20.

    Eriksson (1932, 13–14). Eriksson refers here to the Swedish edition, Elefantjägaren Hans Stark. Jagtäfventyr i boernes och zulukaffrernes land.

  21. 21.

    Bickford-Smith (1994, 292, 308).

  22. 22.

    Bickford-Smith (1989, 48).

  23. 23.

    Eriksson (1932, 10).

  24. 24.

    Eriksson (1932, 10–12). See also Gann and Duignan (1962, 9); Thomas (1997).

  25. 25.

    CTE, Letter of Reference. Courtesy of Roger and Joan Eriksson.

  26. 26.

    Green (1982, xiv).

  27. 27.

    Thompson (1995, 115–117).

  28. 28.

    Allen (1992, 132).

  29. 29.

    For further, see, Rosenthal (1970); Van Onselen (1982).

  30. 30.

    Report of Director of Census 15 September 1896, VIII; see also Kuparinen (1991).

  31. 31.

    “Johannesburg i Transvaal”, Österbottniska Posten, 24 November 1900.

  32. 32.

    Kuparinen (1981, 279–287).

  33. 33.

    Green (1982, 15–6, 18).

  34. 34.

    Hall and Neal (1904, x, 3).

  35. 35.

    For a literary review, see, for example: Phimister (1988); Chikuhwa (1998, 43–45, 123–144); Zvobgo (2009, 11–32); Mlambo (2014).

  36. 36.

    Ranger (2010, 14–17).

  37. 37.

    Hall and Neal (1904, 3).

  38. 38.

    Eriksson (1932, 22–28).

  39. 39.

    CTE. As stated in his Certificate for the Marriage at the Register Office, Epsom, Surrey, 3 February 1910. Courtesy of Roger and Joan Eriksson.

  40. 40.

    LSE, BSAC, Report on the Company’s proceedings and the condition of the Territories within the sphere of its operations (1894–1895, 71, 78).

  41. 41.

    FMR, MIF, Papers of Axel and Oscar Boijer and Johan Gabriel Österlund (John Gabriel Austen).

  42. 42.

    Lowry (2010, 118).

  43. 43.

    For further information, see Ranger (1967, 2010).

  44. 44.

    Lowry (2010, 124–125).

  45. 45.

    Eriksson (1932, 44).

  46. 46.

    As recorded in juridical proceedings of violent crime and domestic violence. For further information, see Ylikangas (1976, 81–103).

  47. 47.

    Eriksson (1932, 46, 65).

  48. 48.

    Eriksson (1932, 20, 45–65).

  49. 49.

    Email communication with Joan and Roger Eriksson, 4 June; 9 June; 13 July; 26 July 2017.

  50. 50.

    GL, SE, CLC, Tanks, B/004/F/01/MS18000/62B/419, Certificate of Incorporation, 1 May 1899.

  51. 51.

    “Mr. George Grey’s Expedition to North-west Rhodesia”, Bulawayo Chronicle, March 1901.

  52. 52.

    For further information, see Särkkä (2015).

  53. 53.

    Gelfand (1961, 121–122).

  54. 54.

    Eriksson (1932, 163–164).

  55. 55.

    For further information, see Särkkä (2018, 153–154).

  56. 56.

    For further information, see Haney (2010).

  57. 57.

    Lonn (1966, 9).

  58. 58.

    MU, JRL, TANKS, TC, 146, Kambove Accountant, Eric Douglas, Kambove, 31 July 1906.

  59. 59.

    Eriksson (1932, 142).

  60. 60.

    Eriksson (1932), frontispiece.

  61. 61.

    Clark (1936, 158).

  62. 62.

    “Charles Eriksson—Pioneer smelter man” (1959, 24–26).

  63. 63.

    Gelfand (1963, 52), diary entry 22 December 1901.

  64. 64.

    Gann (1964, 106–107).

  65. 65.

    Allen (1992, 147).

  66. 66.

    Cannadine (2013).

  67. 67.

    Cooper (2005, 59–90).

  68. 68.

    Koselleck (1979, 107–129).

  69. 69.

    For further information, see Särkkä (2015) and Chap. 1 of this volume.

  70. 70.

    Thomas (1996, 3).

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  1. Department of History and Ethnology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Timo Särkkä

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  1. Department of European and World History, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Raita Merivirta

  2. Department of European and World History, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Leila Koivunen

  3. Department of History and Ethnology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Timo Särkkä

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Särkkä, T. (2021). The “Pioneer Men”: Making of Finnish Settler Identity in Southern Africa Pre-1914. In: Merivirta, R., Koivunen, L., Särkkä, T. (eds) Finnish Colonial Encounters. Cambridge Imperial and Post-Colonial Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80610-1_12

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