~ Farm Life in Patagonia ~
The oil industry was the at the center of life for many families in Argentina. When the Boers, a group of immigrants from South Africa arrived in Argentina, they pioneered the farming industry. Living on a farm outside of company control proved to be a very different experience. The roles played by each family member were, however, similar.
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Johanna
Kokot described her experiences growing up on a Boer farm. The
children were taught by family members, namely her mother and
aunt. The mother began teaching Johanna how to write at a very
young age, then when she began to take placement exams for primary
school later on, she was well ahead of the rest of the children. |
Johanna said her childhood was, "happy, restful, and plentiful" and that their farm was prosperous. She also said that the farms were pretty, and that they had planted poplar and willow trees as well as mayberry. They did not often have land for cattle, so beef was not commonly produced at the farms. Sheep meat, or mutton, was more readily available.
When Johanna Kokot's family immigrated to Argentina, they were given a plot of land, approximately five square kilometeres, for sheep farming. She spent much of her life growing up in this rural region. In this area, they were unable to cultivate wheat or grain due to the strong winds and windstorms. |
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Kokot described the some of the typical customs of life on the farms. The men would wake up around seven o'clock in the morning to start their work outside. After serving the men a cup of coffee, the women would begin their work around the house at eight o'clock. The prepared a light meal for the men when they returned inside for breakfast around half past nine. In the afternoon, around half past two, they served tea and bread made with hop yeast. The children in the house eat before the men ended work at half past six, and the men then ate a great meal wheh their work was finished.
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Elisa Ann Fraser |
Elisa Fraser lived on a farm with her husband, mother-in-law, and three children just outside Comodoro Rivadavia. She worked in the home: taking care of her children, working in the garden, making jam and other foods, and taking care of the daily laundry, ironing, and cleaning around the house. She said that some of the happiest days of her life were spent on the farm. All the children received an education. Girls and boys attended school together. Spanish, mostly, was spoken in the national schools where English was a second language. |
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According
to Kokot, social networks with the neighbors were an important
part of farm life. Neighbors would often visit on weekends and
events such as parties to celebrate birthdays, dances, and other
occassions were community events. There was no company to enforce regulations
or limitations on their social lives. Within the home, families would
also bake bread, women made dresses, and they prepared a variety of
celebrations. |
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