Nella chiesetta di Knysna un piccolo museo ricorda gli italiani venuti nel 1881 per fare la seta e costretti a diventare boscaioli

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Created on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 10:35

Chiesetta di Knysna

Il 13 dicembre del 2005 è stato inaugurato a Knysna dal console Alberto Vecchi un piccolo museo dedicato ai setaioli italiani che nel 1881 furono attirati nella zona dalla promessa di poter esercitare la loro professione in una “foresta di gelsi”, di cui purtroppo non trovarono neanche l’ombra. La nota storica che segue e la cronaca dell’inaugurazione sono un contributo al giornale di André Martinaglia, che da anni è l’appassionato storico degli italiani in Sud Africa. Ricordiamo ai lettori che Martinaglia è un nome famoso in questo paese, in quanto suo nonno, Guglielmo Martinaglia, fu lo scopritore del complesso di grotte nella zona di Sterkfontein, appena fuori Krugersdorp, che le Nazioni Unite hanno dichiarato Patrimonio dell’Umanità e che sono universalmente note come “La culla dell’Umanità”. Anche su questo tema è presente in questa rubrica un articolo dello stesso autore.

Quella che avrebbe potuto essere una tragedia per 30 italiani del Nord Italia cominciò nel 1880, quando un “farmer” inglese di nome Barrington, che aveva coltivato con successo il gelso sulla sua terra a Knysna e aveva prodotto dai bachi la seta più fine, pensò che sarebbe stato magnifico portare dall’Italia un gruppo di setaioli che fossero in grado di creare un’industria redditizia, nell’interesse e a beneficio di tutti. Il farmer sottomise l’idea al Governo Coloniale Britannico dell’epoca, il quale a sua volta fece arrivare la proposta al suo consolato a Torino, che a sua volta portò la questione all’attenzione delle autorità italiane. Dopo tanto discutere si decise di rendere pubblica la proposta, la quale mise insieme un gruppo di 30 italiani delle zone di Milano, Venezia e Firenze, interessati a tentare la ventura di navigare fino a Knysna perché avevano ricevuto l’impressione che, trattandosi di un progetto governativo, avrebbero ricevuto un alloggio e una retribuzione che avrebbe consentito loro di vivere. Erano evidentemente convinti che il Barrington avesse già impostato un’attività di successo in loco e che a Knysna fossero attesi da una piantagione di gelsi. (Ndr – La “Mulberry Forest” del romanzo di Dalene Mathee, appunto).

Il 25 marzo 1881 la nave partì da Genova per il lungo viaggio fino a Knysna, lontana migliaia di chilometri. E finalmente il 3 di maggio del 1881 la nave gettò l’ancora a Knysna e gli italiani si avviarono verso le loro nuove case. Raggiunsero la località loro destinata, a circa 8 chilometri dalla costa, dove con orrore non trovarono né la piantagione di gelsi e tanto meno una qualsiasi abitazione. La zona era una desolazione e nessun gelso vi sarebbe mai cresciuto. In tutta fretta dovettero rizzare tende sulla riva del fiume Knysna e immediatamente dovettero cercare lavoro per allontanare lo spettro della fame. La necessità divenne madre della sopravvivenza.

Il prete della missione cattolica romana, padre McNamara, era l’unico a parlare italiano e li aiutò con quel poco che aveva a disposizione per sopravvivere. Da Cape Town furono urgentemente inviate razioni alimentari per sei mesi e la situazione si fece molto imbarazzante per il governo di allora, che aveva finalmente realizzato che quei poveri diavoli erano stati tratti in inganno. Fortunatamente c’era una luce nella Gouna Forest sotto forma di un certo Thos Daime, il quale stava costruendo una strada e gli italiani ottennero lavoro come tagliatori di alberi. Questo li fece venire a contatto con la segheria di Knysna, che utilizzava il legname per fare le traversine necessarie per la ferrovia in costruzione e offrì loro un lavoro migliore e uno stipendio sufficiente per vivere.

Le tende cominciarono a diventare capanne di legno, costruite dagli italiani insieme ai mobili di cui avevano bisogno. I bambini, però, non avevano insegnanti e restavano come gli animali della foresta, selvatici e ineducati. Ma una seconda luce si accese nella foresta, che portò tragedia e allo stesso tempo speranza agli italiani. Il giovane Pietro Fardini, che aveva 18 anni, alla fine della giornata lavorativa alla segheria in Knysna, quando le macchine erano state spente e stavano fermandosi, mise il braccio sinistro dentro una delle cinghie per sollevarla e liberare la puleggia. Ma il braccio si impigliò nella cinghia e, prima che potesse liberarsi, il potente meccanismo lo sollevò da terra, facendolo girare intorno. I suoi piedi a ogni giro sbattevano violentemente contro il terreno e il corpo si aggrovigliava sempre più intorno all’asse. I genitori, per i quali aveva appena costruito un cottage, sentirono le sue grida e il macchinista, che non poteva far altro che lo spettatore impotente, gridò l’allarme. Il povero Pietro Fardini fu faticosamente liberato dalla macchina e portato il più in fretta possibile all’ospedale della missione di Knysna, dove il braccio dovette essere amputato. Anche una gamba era fratturata, ma fu salvata.

Dopo molti mesi il giovane guarì e decise di frequentare le lezioni nella scuola missionaria da poco costruita. Studiò con grande impegno, impadronendosi delle lingue locali e divenne il migliore della sua classe agli esami finali. Il suo punto forte era la matematica. Al suo ritorno alla segheria fu in grado di mettere a profitto le conoscenze appena acquisite e divenne il primo insegnante per i bambini italiani, nonchè l’orgoglio della sua comunità. In seguito ottenne un posto da insegnante a Kuilsriver, vicino a Cape Town, e qui poi morì.

Nel 1892 nella foresta di Gouna fu costruita la chiesa di Sant’Ambrogio e padre McNamara ne divenne il primo prete cattolico residente. Infine gli italiani ebbero anche un loro luogo di culto e un prete che potesse occuparsi delle loro necessità spirituali. Nel primo periodo essi si sposarono unicamente fra loro, i Canovi, Mangiagalli e Sciocatti, ma si rendevano anche conto che in seguito avrebbero dovuto mischiarsi alla comunità sudafricana.

Nel 1897 le famiglie cominciarono a trasferirsi a Cape Town, dove ottennero lavoro nelle officine delle ferrovie a Salt River. Angelo Mangiagalli, con la moglie Giuditta Fardini e i loro due figli, prese residenza a Parow. Giuditta divenne la levatrice della zona, andando a cavallo nel suo vestito nero con il fazzolettone in testa di casa colonica in casa colonica, dovunque i suoi servizi fossero necessari. Angelo e i due figli dovevano invece camminare per andare a lavorare da Parow a Salt River, dato che ancora nessuna ferrovia era stata costruita.

Le altre famiglie erano i Grassi, Crucci, Fardini e i due fratelli Tome. Più avanti negli anni arrivarono anche la famiglia Sciocatti e Canovi. Alcuni discendenti della famiglia Sciocatti si trovano ancora oggi a Dana Bay e a Knysna.

Grazie all’interesse mostrato dalla compianta Dalene Mathee e alla pubblicazione del libro “The Mulberry Forest”, Rayno Sciocatti nel 2004 decise di restaurare la chiesa di Sant’Ambroso nella foresta di Knysna e di creare un museo. Con l’aiuto dei familiari e di amici l’idea ben presto diede frutti e il suo sogno divenne realtà quando nel progetto si coinvolsero anche padre Eddy di Knysna e Roberto Boni. E così domenica 13 dicembre 2005 la luce nella foresta tornò a splendere per sempre, con molti discendenti di quelle famiglie di pionieri radunatisi per essere testimoni dell’apertura del museo nella cappella di Sant’Ambroso, calcando le orme dei loro antenati per partecipare a un momento storico per le loro famiglie che si realizzata nello spazio della loro vita per essere condiviso dalla generazioni future e divenire, luogo un tempo di speranze perdute e disperazione, adesso un simbolo di fede e coraggio in grado di superare tutti gli ostacoli e le sfide del futuro.

Questa occasione di fierezza è stata condivisa da due Presidenti africani del passato, P.W. Botha del Sud Africa e il dottor Kenneth Kaunda dello Zambia, che apparivano veramente ammirati di quanto stavano vedendo e sentendo circa quei coraggiosi pionieri italiani. Un ex direttore di scuola, Mr R. Roodtman, è stato uno fra i tanti che hanno preso la parola e, con voce chiara e ammirata, ha detto alle circa 150 persone lì radunate: “Sono stati loro a farlo. Sono stati loro a superare le difficoltà. Setaioli? – ha aggiunto – Non lo so, ma quello che posso dire è che erano eccellenti e qualificati lavoratori del legno”.

Il console italiano Alberto Vecchi, che ha anche fatto una breve discorso, è apparso piuttosto sorpreso di incontrare P.W. Botha e il dottor Kaunda e di conversare con loro dopo essere stato invitato ufficialmente ad aprire il Museo Sant’Ambrogio al pubblico. Si è dichiarato veramente lieto e onorato di essere sul posto, dove era stato accompagnato da Roberto Boni, rappresentante del Comites per quella zona.

“Una luce nella foresta è il simbolo della speranza”.

André Martinaglia
tradotto da Ciro Migliore

Uno speciale ringraziamento a Etna Mangiagalli e alle famiglie Sciocatti, che hanno reso possibile questa storia.

In a small church in Knysna a little museum in memory of the Italians who came to make silk and had to survive as woodcutters in 1881

The near tragedy for 30 Italians from Northern Italy started in 1880, when an English farmer by the name of Barrington, who had successfully cultivated the mulberry tree on his farm in Knysna, and from silkworms produced the finest silk, thought how wonderful it would be to bring a group of Italian silkworkers from Italy, who would be able to make an industry profitable, which would be of interest and to the benefit of all. He submitted the idea do the British Colonial Government of the day, who in turn forwarded the proposal to their Consulate in Turin, who then took the matter up with the Italian authorities.

After much debating it was decided to announce the proposal, which brought together a group of 30 Italians from Milan and Venice and Florence who became interested in such a venture to travel by ship to Knysna under the impression that as it was a government project, housing would be provided for, as well as a living wage. They were under the impression that Barrington was already running a successful business there, and that a mulberry tree plantation awaited them in Knysna.

On the 25th March 1881 the departure by ship from Genoa took place. The long sea journey to Knysna, thousands of kilometres away, lay ahead. Finally, on the 3rd of May 1881 their ship lay anchor in Knysna and the Italians started making their way to their newly awaited home.

They were moved inland, some 8 kilometres, where, to their horror, they found no mulberry tree plantation and no accomodation whatsoever available for them. The area was a wasteland and no mulberry tree would grow there. Hastily they had to set up tents next to the Knysna River and almost immediately had to seek work to keep the wolf from the door. Necessity became the Mother of Survival.

The Roman Catholic Mission priest, the Reverend Father McNamara was the only one who could speak Italian and helped them with the little he had at his disposal to survive. Hastily from Cape Town 6 months rations were dispatched and the situation for the government of the day became one of embarrasment, once they realized how these poor people had been deceived.

Fortunately there was a light in the Gouna Forest in the form of one called Thos Daime, who was constructing a road there, and the Italians were able to obtain work chopping down trees. This brought them into touch with the Sawmill Industry in Knysna, who offered them both work and a living wage. They were busy using the wood in order to make the needed railway sleepers. The tents started to become wooden cottages, built by the Italians, as well as the necessary furniture therein.

The children however had no teachers and remained like the animals of the forest, wild and uneducated. A second light appeared in the forest, which brought tragedy as well as hope for the Italians in this regard.

Young Pietro Fardini, 18 years old, at day’s end at the sawmill factory in Knusna, when the machines were switched off and slowing down, put his left arm into one of the belts of the wheels, throwing it over the crown in order to remove it from the axle. His body became entangled in the belt, and before he could free himself he was whirled round and round, his feet knocking each time violently against the ground, his body becoming tightened around the axle. His helderly parents, for whom he had recently built a cottage, heard his screams, the machinist, who could only look on helplessly, shouted the alarm. Poor Pietro Fardini was eventually removed from the machine and taken as quick as possible to the Knysna Mission Hospital, where his arm had to be amputated. His one leg had also been broken, but was saved.

After many months he recovered, and decided to attend education classes at the recently created mission school. He studied hard, mastering the local languages and became top of his class in his final exam. He excelled especially with mathematics and on his return to the sawmill was able to put his knowledge to good use. He became the first teacher for the Italian children and he was the pride of his community. Later he was to obtain a teacher’s post in Kuilsrivier, Cape Town, where he later died.

In 1892 the San Ambroso Church was built in the Gouna Forest and father McNamara became the first resident catholic priest. At last the Italians had a place of their own to worship in and a priest who could attend to their congregational needs. They first married amongst themselves, the Canovis, Mangiagalli and Sciocatti families, but they also realized that later they would have to intermarry with the South African community.

In 1897 the families started to move to Cape Town, where they obtained work at the railway workshop in Salt River. Angelo Mangiagalli with his wife Giuditta Fardini and their two sons settled in Parow. Giuditta became the midwife for the area, riding in her black dress and veil to farm homesteads in the area where her services were needed. Angelo and his two sons however had to walk to work from Parow to Salt River, as no railway line was yet built. Other families were Grassi, Crucci, Fardini and the two Tome brothers. Later in years the Sciocatti family and Canovi were to follow. Some members of the Sciocatti family are still to be found in Dana Bay and Knysna to-day.

With the interest displayed by the late Dalene Mathee and the writing of the book “The Mulberry Forest”, Rayno Sciocatti in 2004 became interested to restore the San Ambroso church in the Knysna forest and to create a Museum. With the help of family members and friends the idea soon bore fruit. His dream became a reality with father Eddy of Knysna and Roberto Boni also becoming involved. So on the Sunday of the 13th December 2005 the light in the forest was to shine forever, with many of the descendants of these pioneering families coming together to witness and be at the opening of the San Ambroso Chapel Museum, treading in the footsteps of their forefathers and to witness a historic family event taking place in their lifetime, to be shared by future generations to become, once a place of lost hope and despair, now a symbol of faith and courage to overcome all odds and challenges lying ahead.

This proud moment and occasion was shared by two past African Presidents, Mr P.W. Botha of South Africa and President Dr Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, who were truly hunbled by what they saw and heard of these courageous Italian pioneers. An ex Principal, Mr R. Roodtman was one of many speakers, who in a clear and appreciated voice told the gathering of some 150 people there: “It was they who did it, it was they who overcame the challenges. Silk workers – he said – I don’t know about that, but what I can say is they were very fine and skilled woodworkers”.

The Honourable Italian Consul of Cape Town, Dr Alberto Vecchi, who had also delivered a speech, was quite surprised to meet and speak with Mr P.W. Botha and Dr Kenneth Kaunda later, after he officially was called upon to officially open the San Ambroso Museum to the public. He was truly delighted and honoured to be there and was accompanied by Roberto Boni, representative of the Comites for that area.  

“A light in the forest is the symbol of hope”.

André Martinaglia

A special thanks to Etna Mangiagalli and the Sciocatti families, who made this story possible.

Fascinating Gouna

There is a special magic on the "Platrand", by far the best kept secret in the Knysna treasure chest. Driving up there must be one of the most scenic routes in the Knysna indigenous forest, especially when you continue your journey to Diepwalle in a westerly direction and stop to have some refreshments at the Diepwalle Community Tea Garden.

About 15km from Knysna Town along the old Salt River road, up past Simola and off towards Gouna, lies an exciting new venue offering a wealth of history and potential activities for all the family. The historic cornerstone of the Gouna Farm is the San Ambroso Roman Catholic Church which was originally built by Reverend Rooney in 1891 for the Italian immigrants. The church was neglected but has recently been restored to its former glory by Rayno Sciocatti and Nickie Jute, with Rayno being a direct descendent of the Italian settlers. The official opening of the church was held on 13 December 2005. The church is now an historical church, with the first wedding service having recently been held. For that ultimate, special wedding day it is proving to be an exceptional venue.

Inside the church is a museum (open daily) where the history of the Italian settlers in Knysna is displayed. Adjacent to the church is the rustic Gouna Forest Restaurant which offers a variety of meals made from all manner of fresh produce, all in which is a truly rustic and peaceful setting. Also situated at Gouna close to the church is the King's Nursery where a wide selection of indigenous plants is available at very reasonable prices. Near to completion is the animal touch farm where a wide range of animals, including goats, pot bellied pigs and deer, are just some of those to be found strutting around. Rayno andNickie's main aim is to provide an educational background on the animals and on farming methods for children and parents alike. The animal touch farm is open daily with all fees being used for the upkeep of the farm and the animals themselves. For the energetic, horse trails through the beautiful Gouna Forest is available, allowing one to lose oneself in this beautiful and relaxed atmosphere with all levels of riding ability being catered for? For smaller children, pony and horse carriage rides offer some tamer alternatives. All these activities have already made the Gouna Forest Farm an ideal setting for children's birthday parties, where Nickie and Rayno strive to make every child's birthday a very special day full with lots of fun and laughter. So whether it's a wedding, a birthday party or other special occasion, or maybe just a trip to the animal touch farm to experience some good old family time spent amongst the riches of the forest, the Gouna Forest Farm has much to offer. Others benefiting directly from the farm are the local community both through the establishment of employment, as well as through Nickie and Rayno's efforts to establish a Gouna Aids Relief programme. Information courtesy of: Garden Route Investments

For more information please contact Rayno: 073 196 1911   

The Knysna elephants
 
The Forest is probably as well known for its elephants as its trees. Here is a brief history:
 •1782 The French naturalist François le Valliant shoots an elephant during his expedition through the area and his servant prepares an elephant foot for him. Apparently it was scrumptious.
 •1867 Queen Victoria’s son Prince Alfred shoots an elephant during his visit to the Forest. (The Prince Alfred’s Pass was later named after him.)
 •1876 It is estimated that there are only about 500 elephants left in the Forest.
•1908 The Cape Government bans the shooting of Knysna elephants.
 •1920 Major PJ Pretorius, a professional hunter, is given permission to shoot one Knysna elephant bull for the South African Museum. He shot five, of which two were elephant bulls. Shortly before, he had shot 120 elephants in Addo.
•1969 An elephant census finds only ten Knysna elephants.
 •1981 An elephant working group is established to investigate the decrease in elephant numbers.
•1994 Three elephants of the Kruger National Park are released in the Knysna forest. One dies from a stress related illness, and three years later the other two are moved to a game reserve.
•2000 After many years of believing there is only one Knysna elephant left, a second one is spotted.
•2001 A third Knysna elephant is spotted.