Africa Antiqua

South Africa is often called ‘the world in one country”.  This statement clearly refers to the myriad of different cultures and traditions that co-exist in one country.  The South African government recognizes twelve official languages but there are another dozen or so unofficial indigenous languages.   Amongst the plethora of languages spoken visitors may hear isiXhosa, isiZulu, tsiVenda, various forms of Sotho, Tsonga, isiPhuti, isiBhaca and languages spoken by the descendants of  settler groups such as Afrikaans, English, German, Portuguese, and the Indian languages of  Hindi and Tamil.

First world and third world often both coincide and collide in this kaleidoscopic mishmash of ethnic groups and cultures that make up modern South Africa. South Africa is the one country on the African continent where visitors may experience a temporary sense of anomie. Here in this apparently confusing land visitors may at one moment witness a truly African tribal experience, where age–old rituals are still being performed in association with drum beating and rhythmic dancing in true bush setting, then only, minutes later enter the glitz of neon lights, sky scrapers, state of the art shopping centres, and fast track motor freeways. 

Some of the highlights to be experienced include a visit to the various  museums, interpretive centres and military capitals, sacred grave sites and famous battle sites of the Zulu nation.  The proud Zulu people not only built one of the most famous military states in black Africa but also opposed British Imperialism and even defeated a large British force at Isandhlwana – a battle which had many parallels with Colonel Custer's last stand at the Little Bighorn  A must includes a visit to the annual reed dance in which thousands of young Zulu maidens participate in order to please the present Zulu king. A well planned trip through Zululand will also allow visitors to purchase Zulu beadwork, pottery, and the famous Hlabisa basketwork.  

Apart from the Zulu visitors also have the opportunity to experience the living culture of other groups in South Africa.   Descendants of the oldest surviving human group in the world, the San Bushmen, still live in parts of  South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.  Tourists will have the opportunity to be guided by San descendants to famous rock art sites of their ancestors, be taught how to identify animal spoor and tracking in the Kalahari sands, and even witness the famous healing dance of the San.

Other cultural experiences include a visit to the mystical land of the Venda where pools, forests, and mountains are still said to be inhabited by the spirits of the first occupants of this land.  The Venda are the direct descendants of the builders of Great Zimbabwe and it is therefore no surprise that their land is dotted with a myriad of Zimbabwe-styled ruins, albeit smaller and more recent than the original.    Witnessing the sacred domba and tshikona dances of the Venda is an awe-inspiring experience.  Among the Venda you may also encounter a black people with distinct semitic facial profiles known as the Lemba.  Although almost totally Africanised some of their rituals, beliefs and even DNA evidence clearly shows that this group originated from early jewish settlers dating back more than 2000 years ago. 

The histories and cultural experiences of the Xhosa, Tswana, Sotho, Shangaan-Tsonga and many other cultural groups is no less interesting.  We offer visits to the pool of Nonqwause where a young Xhosa maiden had visions of her forefathers urging the Xhosa nation to kill all their cattle. This rash action led to the one of the most famous apocalyptic episodes in world history. Similarly a visit to the mountain stronghold of  the wise and kindly King Moshoeshoe, the father of the Southern Sotho nation, and perhaps the greatest African visionary and diplomat in southern African history is a highly emotional

experience. 

To enter the high-lying plateau Kingdom of Lesotho is like entering another world - like walking back in time. The lifeways Sotho herders in the highlands of Lesotho are remarkable. Through these people's daily lives visitors may glimpse an era and lifestyle that has remained virtually unchanged for 300 years. Lesotho's herders live much like the nomadic herders of the Mongolian Steppes. Sheep form the basis of their livelihood and the Sotho herders depend largely upon their unique hardy breed of Basotho ponies to protect, herd and follow their sheep herds. These ponies are also their prime means of transport in a mountanous and icy rugged landscape.  

Visitors may also like to have an Afrikaans farm experience.  The Afrikaners, descendants of the original Dutch and French Hugenot settlers at the Cape, have developed a distinct ethnicity, language and culture.   Often hailed as the “last white tribe” the Afrikaner sense of independence has had a profound impact on the distant and more recent history of the subcontinent.