Kariega River

Last updated
Kariega River
Tyelerha, Karuiga, Karuka
South Africa relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of the Kariega River's mouth
Location
Country South Africa
Province Eastern Cape
Towns Kenton-on-Sea
Physical characteristics
Source 
  location Eastern Cape, South Africa
Mouth Indian Ocean
  location
Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  coordinates
33°40′56″S26°41′00″E / 33.68222°S 26.68333°E / -33.68222; 26.68333
  elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length138 km (86 mi)
Basin size685 km2 (264 sq mi)
Discharge 
  location Kenton-on-Sea

The Kariega River (Afrikaans : Kariegarivier) is located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The river begins 24 kilometers west of Grahamstown and is characterized by its intermittent flow. It empties into the Indian Ocean through an estuary. [1]

Contents

Origin of the name

The Steenbok or Kariega antelope Raphicerus campestris detail head.jpg
The Steenbok or Kariega antelope

The exact meaning of the Kariega's name is unknown, but it may have originated from the Khoikhoi language. The Khoikhoi were among the first settlers in the Cape region. Although their descendants still live in the area, their language is only spoken in some parts of the Northern Cape. However, many Khoikhoi words are still used for various locations in South Africa, including the Garden Route town of Knysna, meaning "ferns," and the Cango Caves, Cango meaning "wet mountain."

Cave paintings found near the river depict local wildlife, including the Steenbok.

Other Kariega Rivers

In the Eastern Cape, there are three Kariega Rivers.

The Kariega and the Beervlei Dam

The Kariega River drains into the Beervlei Dam north of Willowmore. The name of this river has appeared in several forms, including Kariega and Karuka, and experts have concluded that Kariega is the older form, alluding to buffalo. The river was called the Buffels, or Buffalo, by the area's first European settlers. However, several sources claim that the name means 'steenbok,' based not on linguistics but on the presence of the antelope in the area.

The Kariega and the Sundays River

The Kariega River is a tributary of the Sundays River,. [2] For much of its course, it runs across the Steenbok Flats. Based on linguistic evidence and the abundance of steenbok in this area, experts feel that this instance of Kariega refers to 'steenbok'.

The Kariega and the Great Fish River

The Kariega River, which has its source in the highlands 20 kilometers north of Somerset East, is also a tributary of the Great Fish River.

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References