History In
Motion
The Exodus
Across the Dragon Mountains
In the year 1860 trouble arose between the Boers and the Griquas. Adam Kok, who was very proud of his independence, not wanting to imperil it, had no alternative but to trek again. So he, with his people, moved to East Griqualand.
Mount Currie
Arrival in No-Man's-Land
After suffering many hardships and great loss in their livestock, Adam Kok and his people arrived at Mount Currie in the year 1863. They lived for nine years on the slopes of Mount Currie before moving to the valley below.
Foundation of Kokstad
Kok's Town Proclaimed
By 1863, Adam Kok had established a settlement on the Mzimhlava River. The town was officially proclaimed in 1872 and named Kokstad — literally "Kok's Town." The Griqua settled at the foot of a mountain later named Mount Currie after Sir Walter Currie.
British Annexation
End of Griqua Independence
East Griqualand was annexed by the British, ending the Griqua's independence and resulting in the gradual loss of their land. Despite this setback, the community continued to thrive and develop.
Municipality
Growth & Development
Kokstad was declared a municipality in 1892. The first hotel and newspaper had been founded in 1881, marking the town's transformation into a modern settlement and commercial center of East Griqualand.
The Museum
A National Monument
The East Griqualand Museum was founded in 1907, housed in what was once the town's library — a National Monument built in 1910. The original Town Hall and former Library are both National Monuments preserving the heritage of the region.
