Tracking Decorated Ostrich Eggshells in the Kalahari

Abstract

This article forms part of the author's research on the heritage of the Upington, Gariep River, area, in South Africa. Autoethnographic methodology based on reflexive theory is applied, whereby the ways in which the values of the author influence the research are made apparent [Robins 2001]. The author uses text and experience to engage both personally and historically with Kalahari artworks and artists, past and present. The focus is on ostrich eggshell decoration and Khoisan Kalahari artist Vetkat Regopstaan Kruiper. Intertextual engagement with the individual is used to reflect broader social, ideological and research issues.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research is partly funded by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Research Fund. The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation: Social Sciences and Humanities is also hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and not necessarily attributed to the National Research Foundation. Thank you to the Protea Hotel Upington for their sponsorship of our accommodation on the way to and back from the Kalahari. I am indebted to: Prof. Keyan G. Tomaselli for including me on his Kalahari field trips; Prof. Garth Allen for commenting on a draft of this article in the wind and dust of the Southern Kalahari; David Morris for his comments and input on various drafts of the article; Rick and Frik Lange for jumping when I needed photographs taken and permission from the South African Archaelogical Society to reproduce various other images. Vanessa McLennan-Dodd for her tireless commenting on various drafts of the article and constant encouragement from across the ocean in Australia; the Kalahari people of Ngwatle and Blinkwater/Welkom for their hospitality, and especially to Belinda and Vetkat Kruiper for commenting on drafts of this article and introducing me to the beauty of engraved ostrich eggs.

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Mary Elizabeth Lange

MARY ELIZABETH Lange nee Fisher. Qualifications in drama performance and teaching, degree in English, Psychology, and Archaeology and postgraduate honors and presently master's student with Culture, Communication, and Media Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal. Writer, presenter, and facilitator of educational programs, events, and videos linked to heritage past and present predominantly in association with the Bergtheil Museum Westville, Durban. Preferred medium of teaching is drama and theatre-in-education. Promoter of the use of arts for reconciliation specifically linked to Kalahari artists and crafts persons and UK-based ARROW (Art: a Resource for Reconciliation Over the World) www.art-peace.co.uk.