Galekas

Galekas (Ama-Gcaleka), a historical Kafir nation, named from a chief, Gcaleka, who flourished towards the close of the 18th century, and who was lord paramount of the Ama-Xosa confederacy. [Gaikas.] The original Galeka territory, which lay between the Kei and Bashi rivers, was annexed to Cape Colony after the last Kafir war of 1877, and now forms, with Bomvaniland, one of the Transkei administrative districts. But the present Galekaland stretches from the mouth of the Kei to the Umtata, with a total area of 1,350 square miles and population of 65,000 Galekas and 12,000 Bomvanis. Kreli, third in descent from Gcaleka, was one of the most renowned of Ama-Xosa warriors, and since his defeat and deposition by the English in 1877, peace has prevailed throughout Kafirland.