Africa Antiqua

Around 2000 years ago the first black farming peoples crossed the Limpopo River into southern Africa along various streams of movement. The immediate ancestors of the present-day groups living in South Africa, such as the Sotho, Zulu, Xhosa and Venda only left East Africa around 1000 years ago. Around 600 years ago some of these farming communities developed into highly sophisticated state formations such as Mapungubwe, forerunner of the Great Zimbabwe State.

Our excursions will take visitors to a range of different types of Iron Age sites from various periods in southern Africa. For instance, in KwaZulu Natal, once homeland of the legendary Shaka Zulu archaeologists have discovered both homesteads and extensive walled cities. The walling at such sites does not compare with the grandeur of stone-walled cities of Vendaland, but were used for both defensive purposes among a highly militant people and for controlling cattle in this cattle-orientated society. KwaZulu Natal also boasts some of the greatest military capitals on the African continent such as Ondini, capital of King Cetswayo who opposed the British Empire at its height, KwaBulawayo, capital of Great Shaka, the founder of the Zulu nation, and Ngungundlovu, the capital of King Dingane, Shaka's sucessor.

Venda is one of the most fascinating and most secretive of all areas of South Africa. Rich in arcane knowledge and versed in ancient secretive rituals, the Venda reflect in their society something of the landscape in which they live. Venda is alive with sacred spots in which it is said live spirits. There are dank forests, agitated pools, mysterious mountains, magic lakes and hundreds of hidden stone-walled cities from another time, another place.  The Venda are the living descendents of the Great Zimbabwe occupants who engaged in trade with Arabic merchants for exotic goods and treasures.

Venda is more than the past. Today Venda and Tsonga-Shangaan artists are amongst the finest in the world. Numerous outstanding scultors, potters, beaders and painters live in villages which are open to visitors who would like to view their art and perhaps purchase some of these beautiful items to take back home.