STONE TOWN ZANZIBAR

Stone Town also known as Mji Mkongwe (Swahili for "old town") is the old part of Zanzibar City, the main city of Zanzibar, in Tanzania. Stone Town is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying the Swahili culture, with the East African culture being preeminent, there is a unique mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. 
Stone Town is located roughly in the middle of the west coast of Unguja, on a small promontory protruding into the Zanzibar Channel. The closest major settlement on the Tanzanian coast, opposite to Stone Town, is Bagamoyo (to the south-west). The Town is part of Zanzibar City, that also comprises the "New City" of Ng'ambo ("the Other Side"), which mostly extends in the interior of Unguja to the south-east. The ideal dividing line between Stone Town and Ng'ambo is Creek Road.



CC It may not have a particularly romantic name, but Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors – there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. You can spend many idle hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Stone Town was recently and deservedly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. More information can be found at the UNESCO website.

Most of the houses that can be seen today were built in the 19th century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean region. The coraline rock of Zanzibar was a good building material, but it is also easily eroded. This is evident by the large number of houses that are in a bad state of repair. Several buildings have already been renovated and the Stone Town Conservation Authority has been established to co-ordinate the restoration of the town to its original magnificence.

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STONE TOWN: CULTURAL FEATURE

Tuesday, December 08, 2015

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STONE TOWN: CULTURAL FEATURE

CULTURAL FEATURE DESTINATIONS

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MYTHS & LEGENDS

As the waters of Zambezi thunder Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe stands smiling bonded by its mysteries and myths. The same ore or shadow, which propound the country, was the same will used in the countries drive for independence.

With myth and mystery. The lake is associated with the River God, Nyaminyami. The mythical god is said to have been enraged by the displacement of his people, which led to major difficulties during construction of the dam. In revenge around 80 people lost their lives when storms from the Zambezi River collapsed Kariba. Even the sun shunned construction of Kariba. Subsequent soaring temperatures forced workers to house their tools in cooling buckets. Displaced animals were rescued from the Lake in what is now known as Operation Noah!

African mythology of the local Tonga tribe of the Zambezi Valley states that Nyaminyami the River God who lives in Lake Kariba is believed to be a serpent-like creature. He is said to be about three metres wide, but nobody dares to guess at his length. Legends have it that the water stains red when he swims past. Chief Sampakaruma saw him on two occasions many years ago, but the river god has been in hiding since the white men arrived in the country.

According to African mythology he lived under a large rock close to the present day Kariba dam wall. No tribesman would venture near it those few who did were sucked down with their canoes in the whirlpools and never seen again. They called the rock Kariwa, the “trap” and hence the name of the lake, Kariba.

The rising water of lake Kariba covered the rock Kariwa and it now lays 30 metres below the surface annoying Nyaminyami. The tonga people also believe that Nyaminyami is married and that the building of Kariba Dam wall would seperate him from his wife, this would anger him greatly and the river god threatened the peace of the valley.

City dwellers had mocked the stories of Nyaminyami, the river god but by 1958 the laughter had turned to chilled apprehension. Especially for those working on the project of building Kariba dam wall. Survey work on the proposed dam wall began in the late 1940’s. On the night of the 15th February 1950 a cyclone from the Indian Ocean swept up the valley. Such a thing had never been heard of in this landlocked, stable land. Fifteen inches of rain, driven by a hurricane, fell in a few hours.

The river rose seven metres that night. A number of villages were swept away. When rescue teams finally managed to reach the area three days later, the putrefying bodies of antelope and other animals were seen hanging from the tops of trees. The survey team had perished in a landslide.
Work on the dam began in earnest in 1955 – but on Christmas Eve that year, an unprecedented flood stormed down the gorge and washed away the foundations of the coffer dam and the recently constructed pontoon bridge. The flood peaked, receded, and then peaked again.

Read the full article from our October Issue

NYAMINYAMI – THE RIVER GOD

Saturday, November 07, 2015

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NYAMINYAMI – THE RIVER GOD

CULTURAL FEATURE MAIN FEATURES

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THE KHOISAN PEOPLE OF THE NORTHERN CAPE: SAN HUNTERS

© South African Tourism

The Khoisan people of the Northern Cape are descended from two different tribes. An amalgam of the original San hunter-gatherers and the later-arriving KhoiKhoi, they were virtually annihilated by subsequent settlers. But the Khoisan culture lives on through some of the most compelling rock art on Earth.
Khoisan is a term used by physical anthropologists to distinguish the aboriginal people of southern Africa from their black African farming neighbours.

The original San hunter-gatherer groups lived on this land for about 100 000 years before the arrival of other black people and European settlers. When the pastoral KhoiKhoi appeared 2 000 years ago, they saw people similar to them in physical appearance, but with a different culture. They called these elders of the land ‘the San’, which means ‘people different from ourselves’.

SAN HERITAGE

San heritage lives on through rock art and scientific studies of these gentle hunter-gatherers. The San Bushmen of South Africa were the country’s original inhabitants, and very likely the ancestors of all humanity. Today remnants of these fascinating people can still be found in the Northern Cape.

The rich Bushman or San heritage is that of the original people of southern Africa. It is even believed that the genes of the San Bushmen of South Africa predate the rest of humanity, making them our original ancestors.

Nomadic bands lived on the land for approximately 100 000 years before the arrival of other groups. When the pastoral Khoikhoi appeared 2 000 years ago they saw people similar to them in physical appearance, but with a different culture.

CULTURE AND HERITAGE TOURS

History and culture tours are the perfect beginning or end to any business meeting or conference and will help visitors gain insight into the complex history and cultures that make South Africa what it is today. Visit ancient landscapes, explore cultural villages and learn more about the layers that make up the fabric of South Africa’s society.

History and culture tours are not only for history buffs, but for anyone with a keen yearning to know more about South Africa’s interesting past. 
Why not start at the very beginning with a visit to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site where the famous skull of Mrs Ples was found.  

From there make your way to the Mphebatho Museum in Soulspoort (on the border of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve) and find out more about the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela traditions. 

History and culture pre- and post-tours in Limpopo province may include a visit to the famous Modjadji Cycad Reserve – where you will hear all about the legendary Rain Queen of Lobedu. For something a little different make your way to Thohoyandou where the Venda people live and investigate local traditions such as the domba (snake) dance and the myths and legends of Lake Fundudzi and the Vondo Forest (both sacred sites). 

KwaZulu-Natal is the heart of the Zulu Kingdom, and guided tours offer insights into Zulu culture. The province is also home to the largest Indian population outside of India, so visit Grey Street in Durban and learn about the local Indian community. Make sure you try out the famous Durban ‘bunny chow’ while you’re at it. 

History and culture activities in the Northern Cape will expose visitors to ancient San culture and traditions, and the various aspects of Basotho culture are worth exploring when visiting the Free State province. The Basotho Cultural Village in the Eastern Free State is one of the finest cultural villages in the country.  

The Eastern Cape is the heart of Xhosa culture and this province is known for its struggle history – which is not surprising as Nelson Mandela was born here. The Western Cape offers a wealth of opportunity for history and culture lovers – visit the Castle of Good Hope, Robben Island, the District Six Museum or the Bo-Kaap Museum… and that’s just on day one. 

History and culture tours offer so much for the traveller seeking a deeper insight into modern-day South Africa and may well inspire your next business gathering.

Who to contact

Maropeng Visitor Centre (Cradle of Humankind)
Tel: +27 (0)14 577-9000
Email: info@maropeng.co.za
Cape Town and Western Cape Information Centre
Tel: +27 (0)21 405-4500
North West Province Tourism
Tel: + 27 (0)18 397-1500
Bushman Council Office
Tel: +27 (0)78 129 6668
Email: bushmancouncil@khomanisan.com
Northern Cape Tourism Authority
Tel: +27 (0)53 832 2657/2643
Email: northerncapetourism@telkomsa.net

 

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CULTURAL FEATURE: PEOPLE OF THE NORTHERN CAPE

Saturday, September 05, 2015

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CULTURAL FEATURE: PEOPLE OF THE NORTHERN CAPE

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It’s springtime in South Africa, and time to head for the beach. The country has more than 2,500 km of coastline, stretching from the cold waters off the arid West Coast region, southwards around the tip of Africa, and heading up again all the way to the lush St Lucia estuary in the east.

WEST COAST

The West Coast is less crowded than most of the coastline in summer. It’s not as lush as the other side of the country, and the water is pretty darn cold, but there are some major attractions.

CAPE TOWN

Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world, but the water is also pretty chilly. Hang out on Clifton if you want to spot an A-list celebrity, go to Muizenberg if you want to learn to surf, see the penguins on Boulders Beach, or rub shoulders with the local bronzed wrinklies at Fish Hoek, which is possibly the most perfect of South Africa’s beaches.

SOUTHERN CAPE

Hermanus on the Southern Cape Coast, which is also called the Overberg, expands to bursting point in the summer months with wall-to-wall people, but some of the other smaller towns are not quite as crowded. Well, only just.

THE GARDEN ROUTE

The Garden Route, with its tangled forests and deep river gorges fronting white beaches or craggy headlands, is heaven on earth. The Southern Right whales have gone back to Antarctica for the summer, but there are dolphins aplenty, and you may spot some humpbacks or even Bryde’s whales, either from shore or on a boat trip.

THE EASTERN CAPE

The Eastern Cape is the place for a real beach holiday. Port Elizabeth, East London, Jeffrey’s Bay, Cape St Francis and, to a lesser extent, Port Alfred all revolve around their beaches.
Port Elizabeth is family-friendly, with a beach for every reason. If you head out to the wild side near Sardinia Bay, you can find an almost deserted stretch of sand to walk on, even at the height of summer. Close by you’ll find fabulous malaria-free game viewing in the Greater Addo Elephant National Park, as well as a range of smaller private game reserves, including Shamwari and Kwandwe.

THE WILD COAST

The Wild Coast is magic. The climate and vegetation is subtropical, with mangrove forests, turquoise lagoons, long, deserted beaches and small, scattered settlements where people live much the same way as they have for centuries.

SOUTH COAST

The South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal consists of a string of beautiful beaches, river mouths and lagoons all fringed by an almost continuous ribbon of coastal development – hotels, malls, housing developments, campsites and small towns.

DURBAN

Jeffrey’s Bay is not the surf capital of South Africa. Durban is. The only surf museum in the country is here – on the beachfront – and the surf is great.
The beaches are a cultural experience. Bronzed surfers rub broad shoulders while elegant, sari-clad matrons stroll on the sand; bead-bedecked traditional healers collect sea water in plastic bottles, while charismatic preachers perform al fresco baptisms and small children build sand castles.

The city extends virtually to the high water mark and harassed, deskbound wage slaves shuck their jackets and ties at lunchtime to jog along the beachfront or catch a quick wave.
Toss a couple of notes to the sand sculptors who create fantastic ephemeral works of art on the beach, buy a basket from the craft sellers, and take a ride in a rickshaw.

To find out more about what lies under the warm Indian Ocean, visit the water rides and aquariums at uShaka Marine World, where you can – literally – swim with the fishes. And before you leave, don’t neglect to get a taste of bunny chow (a hollowed-out half-loaf of bread filled with spicy Indian curry), Durban’s signature contribution to world cuisine.

THE NORTH COAST

The North Coast is rather like a more refined version of the South Coast. It’s a bit more tropical, and maybe a bit wilder, but the developers seem to have been a tad more restrained – or at least more discerning.
As well as awesome beach options, there is the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board in Umhlanga Rocks, where you can find out more about these fascinating, beautiful and much-maligned animals. Numerous exclusive golf estates and resorts also lie tucked away behind the dunes.

MAPUTALAND

Most of the Maputaland coast is incorporated into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, which is a World Heritage Site.

This whole area is a paradise of sub-tropical beaches, fabulous wetlands, fascinating cultural destinations and spectacular game reserves, including the exclusive Phinda Private Game Reserve and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve.

Wherever you choose to go on this beautiful coast, play it safe. Use loads of sunscreen and a hat, save your sundowners for sundown, don’t drink and swim, and be realistic about your abilities. It’s a big ocean out there.
But most important – have fun. Take all your toys – the frisbee, the beach bats, the picnic, the bucket and spade – and all your favourite people, and go back home a few years younger.

DESTINATION DOWNTIME: SOUTH AFRICA’S BEACHES
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DESTINATION DOWNTIME: SOUTH AFRICA’S BEACHES

Saturday, September 05, 2015

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DESTINATION DOWNTIME: SOUTH AFRICA’S BEACHES

COASTAL CULTURAL FEATURE

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THE MAASAI

PEOPLE OF KENYA

WHO ARE THE MAASAI? WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? WHAT IS THEIR MODERN CONSERVATION ROLE?

The Northern and Southern Maa speakers of East Africa have been the pre-eminent cattle keepers in terms of wealth, land control, and influence in both Kenya and Tanzania for a very long time. At the height of their ascendancy in the mid 18th century the range lands that they “owned” included the Great Rift Valley and fertile volcanic lands on either side over an area of more than 350,000 km sq. ( 60% of the land mass of modern Kenya). Prior to 'Emutai’, the decade of disaster between 1893 and 1903 that probably killed 60% of the pre-disaster population of Maasai (because in the first few years it killed over 95% of the cattle that they depended upon for their daily milk), the population of Maasai that controlled this vast area was likely less than 100,000. It is incredible that even with well-organized standing armies of bachelor warriors the Maasai could have owned and controlled such a huge area of diverse terrain with only one fifth of a person per square kilometer.

In the north they were close neighbours of pastoral Dasenech, Turkana, Gabbra, Rendille, Boran, and Pokot who were all confined to less productive rangelands on the periphery of the northern Maasai (Samburu and Chamus). The southern Maasai occupied a long broad tongue of semi arid land bounded by sixteen agricultural peoples: the Meru, Embu, Kikuyu, Kama, Taita, Usambaa, Parakuyo, Larush, Iraqw, Tatoga, Kuria, Gusii, Luo, Kipsignis, Nandi, Maraquet and Elgeyo. The Maasai are the southernmost Nilotic speakers of Africa and their homeland includes the range lands of the Boma Plateau bounded in the south by the waters of the Sobat River which flows from the Ethiopian Highlands into the White Nile and the Sudd just south of Malakal.

Modern genetics and traditional linguistics show information and genetic exchanges with their Afroasiatic (Cushitic) neighbours to the north and east over the past 3000 years. And yet authoritative treatments of Maasai history do not penetrate beyond the last 20 to 23 remembered fourteen-year age sets. The oldest remembered north Maasai age set of warriors was probably initiated about 1690, but these Lkasurutia men (“ of the brass coils”) inherited the way they thought, acted, spoke, and prayed from people who walked the mountains of Sinai and the shores of the River Nkishon which flows into Galilee. 

The Maasai are named as being amongst the Hebrew priests in Chronicles and the Samburu are called the Korr, or Kore, and are listed in following verses of the same Bible Chapter as singers and gatekeepers. At times of great challenge modern Maasai pray 'Nkai ai Oi Pasinai’ = my god given at Sinai.

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CULTURAL FEATURE: THE MAASAI PEOPLE OF KENYA

Friday, July 24, 2015

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CULTURAL FEATURE: THE MAASAI PEOPLE OF KENYA

CULTURAL FEATURE DESTINATIONS EXPERIENCE

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