The Griquas‚ descendents of Khoikhoi‚ freed slaves‚ and European settlers‚ have a diverse and interesting history‚ culture and heritage‚ but it is not commonly known. A new book will help rectify this. Forgotten but not Buried is written by a Griqua‚ Aaron Messelaar‚ author and representative of the Griqua Royal House. They trace their forefathers to two clans‚ the Koks and Barendse.Adam Kok 1 was a freed slave who obtained burgher rights and a farm in the Picketberg area. He married the daughter of a Khoikhoi clan‚ the Chariiguriqua – possibly the origin of the Griqua name.His son Cornelius Kok and the Barends brothers‚ Barend and Nicolaas‚ and their respective followers moved to the Orange River area and Griqualand West. Andries Waterboer‚ a dependant of Kok‚ emerged as a leader in Griquastad. Internal rifts and other factors caused breakaways to Transoranjia‚ bringing them into contact with the Tlahping. At this time the British and Boers where having their difficulties.The Griquas in the Philippolis area rented land to the Boers‚ and in 1861 sold it to them. Under Adam Kok 111 they moved to Griqualand East‚ establishing Kokstad as their centre. The British annexed the area‚ an arrangement Kok didn’t oppose hoping for their protection‚ but complex tribal interests and political alliances meant the British couldn’t effectively assert their control. The Griquas began to sell off their property. Demoralised‚ some moved away in 1917 to the Touws River area‚ only to later return to Kokstad.Meanwhile the discovery of diamonds caused problems for the Griquas in the Griqualand West – the British annexed the area and Chief Waterboer was arrested when tried to free his supporters from a prison work gang.The book‚ which looks more into the essence of what it is to be a Griqua‚ is being launched on 25 July, 2015 at the Castle in Cape Town – a fitting venue given that Adam Kok 1 was imprisoned there.The Castle’s chief operator‚ Calvyn Gilfellan‚ said: “Through this book‚ the unwritten‚ hidden history of the people of this land is brought to light” and its launch comes “ as we prepare to mark the 350th anniversary of this complex symbol - the Castle of Good Hope.”The Kok families from Griqualand West‚ Free State and East Griqualand will attend this occasion.Messelaar said‚ “I believe if you don’t know who you are and where you are coming from it will be difficult for you to know where you are going Hence my modest attempt to pen down our forgotten cultural practices and beliefs.” The launch will be in the Lady Anne Barnard banquet hall at 10am...