Kannaland - 'n verdwene streeknaam

Abstract

In 1752 the name Kannaland appeared for the first time on a Map, that of the Beutler expedition. Ten years later it was already a generally accepted geographical reference. Although diversely spelt, the name seems to be derived from the ganna (lye-bush), also called seepganna, a plant well known at that time in the Karroo regions. Kannaland was at no stage accurately demarcated and the name referred to larger or smaller parts of the present Little Karroo. Thus, despite its popularity among the colonists in the second half of the eighteenth century, the name was never applied officially by the government or the church.