During 1791-1792, a prolonged severe drought struck Southern Africa, devastating Khoikhoi pastoralists and European settler communities reliant on agriculture and livestock. Environmental stress exacerbated social tensions and migration patterns. Such climate events highlight historical vulnerabilities, informing modern understanding of environmental impacts on societies and related cultural storytelling.

The drought in Southern Africa during 1791-1792 was documented in travelogues that shaped early South African literary landscapes. This environmental crisis influenced poets to explore themes of survival, resilience, and the relationship between people and their land.