Berthe Cabra facts for kids
Berthe Cabra (born Berthe Gheude de Contreras) was a brave Belgian woman. She was married to Alphonse Cabra, a commander in the Belgian army. Berthe became famous for being the first European woman to travel all the way across Africa by land. Her amazing journey from west to east took place between 1905 and 1906.
Berthe was born on June 27, 1864, in Berchem, Belgium. Her parents were Jean-Martin Gheude and Euphrosyne d'Alcantara de Contreras. She married Alphonse Cabra on April 25, 1901. Soon after, she joined him on an incredible adventure across Africa.
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Berthe Cabra's African Adventure
The main goal of their trip was to map out the border. This border was between the Belgian Congo and the French colonies. King Leopold II of Belgium was the ruler at the time. He allowed Berthe to go with Alphonse, even though he was not sure about it at first.
Starting the Epic Journey
Berthe and Alphonse left Brussels on April 10, 1905. They traveled from Napoli, Italy, aboard a ship called the Margraff. Their journey took them to Mombasa, which is in East Africa. From there, they used a railway line to continue their travels.
Crossing Continents by Land and Water
They crossed the large Lake Victoria using a boat called the SS Sybil. After that, they moved towards the foot of Stanley Falls. Then, they traveled down the mighty Congo River. Finally, they reached Matadi and then Boma in October 1906. This completed their incredible journey across the continent.
What Did They Bring Back?
During their long trip, Berthe and Alphonse also collected many interesting objects. These items are now part of the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium. Berthe's journey made her very famous. She was often featured in newspapers, becoming a well-known figure. After their adventures, the couple settled back in Berchem. Berthe Cabra passed away there on January 26, 1947.
Awards and Recognition
Berthe Cabra received several special honors for her bravery and contributions. In 1925, she was given the Chevalier of the Order of the Crown. The next year, in 1926, she became a Knight of the Order of Leopold. In 1929, she received the Congo commemorative medal. These awards recognized her important role in the expedition and her adventurous spirit.
