Just a one hour drive from Cape Town, an extraordinary nature reserve awaits in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Upon arrival my new-found friends and I were welcomed at the gates whilst taking in the beautiful landscape. Receiving warm hospitality from the local staff members and the busy weavers nestling in the spreading crown of the wild fig tree, both of our thirsts were quenched with a refreshing indigenous cold-infused buchu tea. A delightful engagement of our body and all senses, as each sip demonstrated the ancient wisdom of the San. Often referred to as KhoiSan or Bushman, the San are among the world’s last living hunter-gatherers. Once found throughout Southern Africa, the descendants of these pre-colonial people still live in areas of Namibia and South Africa, primarily.
We set out on this land, on this Southern African coastline, led by a knowledgeable tracker and guide who took us through a land which holds the origins of modern man. Every conscious step was a greeting to the Cape Floral Region and all the elementals, making new discoveries in the natural habitat on ancestral lands, remembering our forefathers in each story. This magical West Coast land is steeped in SanSpirit stories with their natural inhabitants now ranging from the quagga, eland, springbok, porcupine, tortoises, night hares and more, to the return of the owls. Walking and hiking trails, San guided tours, tracking and storytelling are available at this thriving tourist destination. Getaways in farm cottages to eco-cabins are hidden deep in the fynbos and may be booked as well. So I reckon these will be a must on our next visit, so as to become fully immersed in the learning experience and fully awaken with peace and renewal.
The !Khwa ttu shop offers one-of-a-kind gifts from delicate ostrich eggshell jewellery, leather-work, bead-work, arts and crafts, which stretch from as far as Namibia. The ‘love’ bow and arrows, the tip of ancient symbolism, and other items create a unique shopping experience which directly benefits the remote San communities.
Acknowledging Heritage month with this inspiring visit to the museum and the land, was both an honour and privilege, allowing such a deep connection with ancient forgotten wisdom. The incredible award winning !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre, is a testament to our shared human heritage and a beautiful dedication to the first people. Understanding our shared history reminds us who we are in myriad ways.
And… the exhibits can also be very sad. Such as the soul stirring exhibit of The forgotten people whose birthright and dignity was ripped and taken away, which is far beyond UBUNTU Principles and Sacred Sovereignty! As I looked across the landscape with a deeper listening, asking tender questions around African sovereignty…“As a people” I felt the systemic and moral injustices in my blood and bones. What have we done to rectify this grave folly?
Yes, there are now museums and artefacts being “showcased” to the public by our beloved descendants. However, when it comes to being heard, the echoes of the living Elders remain, Elders who have pleaded for their birthrights and cultural way of life, though most have been silenced and succumbed to what is. Superiority versus recovery of the soul…AND??? Sadly in this “now”, “time” has still not found a win-win outcome for living harmoniously in interdependence. WHY…a trickster energy??? So many questions rise up as we witness how the human race has evolved over time.
Walking the various trails where our ancient indigenous people roamed, hunted and gathered, I could hear their cries. The mass produced landscapes in and around the area affect the ecosystem and the natural ecology that stretches for miles. Not only on this landscape, but across Southern Africa and beyond.
I looked up across the horizon to see Hoerikwaggo (meaning “Mountain in the Sea”), the original name given by the indigenous KhoiSan people who were the first inhabitants in the Western Cape. The history dates back roughly 30,000 years with evidence tracing as far back as the early Stone Age. Today, the mountain is, of course, known as Table Mountain. This iconic mother mountain is one of the oldest ancient geological landmarks in the world (approximately 600 million years old). Older even than the Himalayas and the Andes.
It is one of the new 7th wonders of nature.
We prayed on this land for compassion, loving kindness for a greater intersection of wisdom and connection, not created by “judgement”, as that gets man no-where. Just as we have seen it play-out for eons.
How can we collectively reconcile and restore, restore the heart?
Can we call for a clear Doctrine of Recovery? Why have the cries and people not been heard? Is there a place where children are no longer strangers on their ancestral soil? Can we sit together around the sacred fire having co-operative conversations about these vulnerable and tender questions, with open hearts and clear intent for a restorative type justice to seek remedy?
A prayer rose in my chest: May all indigenous communities across “space” and “time” be recognised and acknowledged with true Ubuntu, and their cultural heritage be celebrated with reverence. For it is every person’s innate birthright to be seen, heard and honoured in equal measure. In this great turning around planet earth, may all step forward and have the freedom to express our sovereign rights for which have been denied for eons.
Re-mem-be-ring our roots and why we came here consciously, reminds us to continue dancing around the sacred fire. Sharing stories, transmuting old paradigms and becoming the storytellers for generations to come. A prayer and a dream.
Yes – it is true that !Khwa ttu is a small drop of acknowledgement to preserve ancient indigenous culture and wisdom in “His-tory”, in a massive ocean of great desecration. Yet we know that each conscious drop can create a river that flows into the boundless sea and beyond.
“San Spirit Of The Land” is a cultural divine blessing and an invitation to journey, to get deeply rooted and grounded into our heritage – imbued with love, heart and ancient tradition.
I love their living ethos…
“At !Khwa ttu, we tell our own story. The story is one that few people know, but is one that everyone will recognise.
It’s the story of humankind.
It is your story.”
Together let us unite, renew and restore every fragment with a new weaving in humanity’s divine fabric.
Beloved South Africa, may we not cry for our beloved country, may we rise together in our resiliency and courage for our people just like the wildflowers in their natural rhythm, so our rainbow nation can fully bloom with love, peace and harmony.
I take a bow. I see you.
Peace to all beings.
KaiGanGans !Khwattu
Enkose! Thank you. Siyabonga. Baie dankie.
Makhosi AmaKhulu
Gogo NomVuka
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