South Africa, Khoikhoi Moon Ritual

Eerbewijs der Hottentotten aan de Maan (Tribute to the Hottentots at the Moon). The Khoikhoi are the traditionally nomadic pastoralist non-Bantu indigenous population of southwestern Africa. The Khoikhoi attached special significance to the moon. The new and full moons were important times for rainmaking rites and dancing, and it seems that the moon was viewed as the physical manifestation of a supreme being associated with heaven, earth and especially rain (of key significance to people in drier regions, whose existence was so dependent upon rainfall). Peter Kolbe (1675-1726) was a Dutch astronomer and naturalist. He is best remembered for his publication Naauwkeurige beschryving van de Kaap de Goede Hoop, describing the geography, climate, flora and fauna, followed by an accurate study of the Hottentots (Khoikhoi), covering their language, religion, lifestyle and customs. Image appeared in: Naauwkeurige beschryving van de Kaap de Goede Hoop by Peter Kolbe, 1727

Picture No

12696960

Media ID

47683346

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2928px x 4800px (3.8MB)

Credit

BHL/Science Source/Mary Evans