Abstract

Although the Anglo Boer War is a well researched topic, none of the previous studies dealt solely with the cultural aspects of sport and games on the Boer side. This research points out what need for physical activity men in such circumstances had; what effect the geographic surroundings had on their physical activities; what influence the non-Boers had on the sport and games in the camps; in which way the military authorities affected sport and games in the camps; what kinds of sport and games were played; of what importance these activities were to the prisoners; and whether the war was an instrument of cultural and social change, and if so, in which way. Research indicates that a prisoner-of-war had to indulge in sport, games, handy-crafts or the like, to keep his mental health intact. Geographic surroundings of the camps in St. Helena, Ceylon, India and the Bermuda did indeed influence the quantity and quality of sport and games played. Non-Boers, especially the Dutch, Germans, Austrians (to name only a few), undoubtedly enriched the field of sport and games. The most popular sports were rugby, cricket, soccer, tennis and athletics, while the most popular games were card games, board games, quoits and billiards. These activities contributed greatly to the prisoners' psychological well-being. For many Boers from the outskirts of the two Republics, sporting life in camp served as an instrument of cultural and social change as they not only learnt new skills, but also social attitude and developing a group cohesion. Verf.-Ref. (gek.)