The Empress Eugenie's Pilgrimage to Zululand in 1880

Posts : 272 Join date : 2010-08-13

Sweet corn and grains brought back by the Empress from the I'Ityotyosi---collected from the same spot that the Prince Imperial fell----to plant--Given by the Empress to Baron Tristan Lambert, the Prince's dear friend

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Isandula Collection

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Isandula,
Thanks for posting.
However I think things along the way have become a little confused,- perhaps the facts having been 'lost in translation'.
What is pictured there is in fact not any form of corn, but rather the grain 'mabela'.
Mabela is used extensively in the region, even today, to make African beer .
Mabela is also used to make a porridge, called Maltabela. This is available in all South African supermarkets, usually in the form of an 'instant' porridge.
I know that the Empress was very interested in things horticultural and took poppy seeds with her on the tour, to be planted on various graves she visited on the battlefield as well at the Ityotyosi, where her son fell. It was there that she was left alone for the night on her solitary vigil until sunrise.
Eugenie also arranged to have a clump of Tamboekie grass dug up at the site were her son fell. This was taken back to England by her and lovingly nurtured for many years in the Palace nursery. It was seen there many years later by her visitors.

regards

barry

Strange coincidence, ive just finished a plate of Maltabela, chocolate. Very Happy

Posts : 269 Join date : 2010-12-02 Location : Kloof, KZN

For a long time before and after 1880, mabela was referred to as 'kaffer corn' by settlers. Like the 'N-word' in the US, the 'K-word' only became unacceptable fairly recently. As an adjective, the word was not intended to be derogatory, but simply to denote an indigenous variety of something previously unknown to the settlers. Another recent renaming was 'kafferboom' becoming 'coral tree'.

Brett

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Brett,

erythrina caffra?

barry

Posts : 269 Join date : 2010-12-02 Location : Kloof, KZN

That's it, Barry! Unfortunately for those offended by words, the formal nomenclature of botany and zoology abide by strict rules agreed by international convention, so established names that offend sensitive people cannot be changed by their whims. Since they have so many wrongs to right, they probably do not time to read scientific literature, and so are unaware of this fly in their ointment.

Once while in the United States two street merchants got my attention by calling out 'Hey honkey!' They were both big and menacing so they could have called me anything and I would not have objected ('sticks & stones' and 'might is right' etc).

Brett

» NMP detail involved with the Princess Eugenie , ex Empress of the French visit to Natal in June 1880.
» Princess Eugenie, ex Empress of the French and Lady Wood's tour of Zululand
» A meeting with Empress Eugenie