The Diamond, the Pearl and the Tortoise

In October of 1957 Abraham Gabbeman headed an expedition on orders of Jan van Riebeek to make contact with Khoi groups to barter with.  In addition to procuring livestock for the Cape Good Hope they were also eager to find the rumoured mines of the Kingdom of Monomotapa. 

Their primary mission was successful. The treasures of Monomotapa however eluded Gabbema’s party. But they did not return to Cape Town completely sans treasure. Well sort of...

The garnet bowlers on the west of the Berg Valley caught the eye of Gabbema as it glistered in the sun. He referred to the manifestation of nature as " de Diamondt en de Peerlberg " (Diamond and Pearl Mountain).  The name stuck and evolved over time to Pearl Mountain which the town was later named after. 

Had Gabbema not made the observation that the boulders looked like jewels the town’s name might have been as romantic as Paarl.  Not familiar with precious gems, the local Khoi tribes called the mountain “Tortoise Mountain”.  

Regardless of one’s frame of reference there is no denying that Paarl Mountain is a magnificent sight.