The word "boer" is Dutch for farmer. They are primarily descendants of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa, mostly from the 18th century and some who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle elsewhere, such as in the Boer Republics. One of the primary reasons for their leaving the colony was to escape British persecution and rule along with the continuous warfare that was taking place between the British Imperial government and several of the native tribes on the eastern frontier. The Boer nation was primarily known for their strong nationalistic characteristics. This sense of nationalism was mainly derived from the fact that they spent several years devoted to fighting harsh battles against the imperialistic powers of the British in a harsh African climate. The Boers of South Africa served as a very strong force the British were going to have to break through to prove their powerful presence in this African continent.