Maria Wilman: Rock art pioneer and museum curator
A South African woman, who was to become famous in botanical circles, was born in Beaufort West on April 29, 1867. Her name was Maria Wilman and oddly enough this arid section of the Great Karoo was to prove fundamental in shaping her future as rock-art collector as well as a researcher of San and…
Read MoreSnake bites and snake stones
Snakes occur across the Karoo and consequently there are a great variety of remedies across the region for snake bite. During his travels, Carl Thunberg came across small, flat and porous stones used in the treatment of snake bite; these were called “snake stones”. He said it was possible to test whether a stone was…
Read MoreWho built the ancient walls in the Seekoei River Valley?
Archaeologist Garth Sampson started working on a large-scale, long-term project in the 1970s. Over the years, this project developed into the largest surveyed archaeological site in Africa and the best known research project in the Karoo, states the summer 2011 issue of Karoo News, the Nama Karoo Foundation newsletter. The inspiration for this Zeekoei Valley…
Read MoreRare Khoi pots found in Prince Albert
Two clay pots, typical of those used by early Khoekhoe or Khoi (Hottentot) people, were recently found in the Prince Albert area after a heavy rainstorm. They had been washed out of a natural drainage channel at Waterkop smallholdings, on the outskirts of the village, and were discovered by Gareth Williams and his friend Willem…
Read MoreThe ways of the Bushmen
A bow and arrow are the principal weapons of the Bushman, writes Lieutenant Arnold W Hudson in Trekking the Great Thirstland. “The tip is always poisoned. I have not been able to find out what the poison consists of, but I believe it comes from a root, caterpillar or grub. I do know, however, that…
Read MoreKhoi Resistance To Colonialism In The Baviaanskloof
Baviaanskloof, in the heart of the Kouga Mountains, has always been immersed in mystery and good stories. Here, in 1799, the Khoi Chief, Klaas Stuurman, offered refuge to “drosters”, escaped slaves and other fugitives and took up the cause of those forced into “apprenticeship”, badly treated and poorly paid. In time, a group of Khoi…
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