Recently the 10th annual original Kalahari Bushman Song Walk took place between Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal and Kroonstad, Free State. The walk is part of the “Bushman Song” project, led by its founder and chief of the Xam tribe, indigenous Khoikhoi, Piet Berendse. What this walk fully encompasses, transcends language in many ways, for both the walkers from the public who participated and our precious First People.
Montagu proudly followed the progress of the walk since one of their own, Anmiray Opperman, represented the town in this walk and making cultural connections. No walk would be complete without a stop there, where people were honoured to welcome team members on Monday 27 February.
Making plans to also show them some of our best kept Bushman Heritage and paintings on farms around town.
Some key points on the Bushman Song Walk initiative: . This year’s walk is themed “Children of the Earth” or “Kinders van die Aarde” and is a tribute to all living things; the people and wildlife that have needlessly died along the route owing to negligence.. Accumulated funds will go towards sustaining the walk itself and assisting the Chief realise his vision of creating a school, where the sacred knowledge of the Bushmen can be shared and preserved. This is a real crisis in our country that does not quite receive the urgency it needs. . During the walk, time and service were offered to the communities en route. Appearances at schools, churches and community centres have gone down extremely well, and everyone has loved hearing the real stories of the Bushmen and experiencing their beloved culture.. Despite little support or recognition from government, the tribe and its organisers are walking for spiritual reasons and not political motives. The walk is therefore not a political movement or statement and has no association with any external parties . This is a spiritual quest that invites fellow South Africans to walk the lands of our shared ancestors and take with them a piece of the rich wisdom the First People elders have to offer. An experience of a lifetime. . Everyone was invited to join the walk and there were no entry fees. Rather, “admission” is based on strength in spirit, mind and body as well as a deep resonance with the “honour all life in harmony” ethic of the bushmen.
