HERITAGE AND CULTURE AND THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE

THE PEOPLE OF THE NORTH WEST

The arrestingly diverse landscape of the North West is occupied by charming people who’s responsibility to the land parallels their strong sense of tradition.

The culture of the people of the North West is to be found in every aspect of the daily lives of the people. - in their beadwork, the pottery, the houses, the music and song.

The people of the North West are predominantly BaTswana in origin and their language is SeTswana. They can trace their origins for many centuries through a turbulent history of war and migration across the plains and valleys of the province to the borders of the Kalahari.

Other groups touching the North West are the Ndebele in the east and the Sotho in the south.

The North West Province is blessed with several cultural villages that entertain and enrich as they interpret South Africa’s people in their own unique manner.

CULTURE EXPERIENCES

Lesedi Cultural Village

An International favourite... for a fully interpretative african experience for those who wish to participate in mystical cultures, steeped in folklore and ancestral tradition.

Sleep over in one of the authentic villages. Wide range of curio's on sale.

web site

+27 (0)12 205 1394

The Lost City of Mogale

The Lost City of Mogale is the ancestral home of Chief Mogale (1810-1869), after whom the Magaliesberg was named, and his Po people. You can see remains of well preserved late Iron Age settlements, both early Ndebele and Tswana/Sotho.

Highlights include:

The chief's courtyard and reception

The chief's private place of worship and cattle kraal

Ceremonial cairns

Ancestral Centre of worship including the Symbolical entrance

Remains of Slaughtering kraal

Unique fault in granite rock, used for ages, containing water, believed to have healing capabilities

Monoliths

Buya Zulu Cultural Kraal

Buya Zulu is an authentic Zulu Kraal headed by Jo Mbogwazi. He and his group originate from Hluhluwe, Northern Zululand. The Kraal consists of six Zulu huts, one decorated to be a show hut. The others are used to live in.

You will experience traditional huts with all the utensils of traditional Zululand, see people wearing traditional clothes, a show of shield and spear making, beadwork, traditional pottery, taste a sip of Zulu beer, maybe consult the sangoma and enjoy a real Zulu dance program, telling the stories of years long gone by. Camping facilities are available.

web site

Mapoch Ndebele Village

Cell: +27 (0)72 746 5666 or +27(0)84 753 8439

The colourfully painted abodes of the Ndebele villagers are an irresistible photo opportunity, not to mention a curio collectors heaven. The sensational handcrafted bead work of the Ndebele woman folk are reasonably priced and come in a variety of products. The village is located near Brits.

Gaabo Motho Cultural Village

Tel +27 (0) 12 563 0102

Close to Hebron, this scenic mountain top village offers the best African traditional fare. The village relays ancient survival & birthing practices and visitors can meet an authentic traditional healer.

more information...

Kortkloof Cultural Village

In the Mampoer Country, Groot Marico, dedicated to the Tswana tribe.

Marico Valley Mampoer

(014252) ask for 2212 & Cell: 083 700 8538

Groot Marico - On the Rustenburg/ Mmabatho Road. We welcome visitors at any time for a mampoer tour. We offer 8 mampoers & 16 liqueurs. Farm weddings.

M & M Mampoer Farm

(014252) ask for 2922 - will change to (014) 503 0365

Groot Marico - On the Rustenburg/ Mmabatho Road; for mampoer & mampoer liqueur tasting.

Schoemanati

+27 (0)18 291 1354 & 082 927 0012

At Schoemansdrift, outside Potchefstroom. Mampoer tasting sessions in a house with Anglo Boer War history, talks on the history of mampoer production. Medal winning mampoer distiller who offers 6 mampoers, 1 witblits, 2 brandies & 20 liqueurs.

By appointment only.

Syfergat

+27 (0)18 581 9513

Syfergat is 45 km Klerksdorp on the Wolmaransstad Road. Turn left at Bona Bona Game Farm. Mampoer, witblits, liqueurs & aged brandy. Champion Mampoer distiller.

By appointment only.

HERITAGE

CULTURAL VILLAGES

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Archaeological sites

Graves

Forts

Bushman paintings

Battlefields

Historic buildings

National monuments

Of particular note are:

The Taung Skull World Heritage Site

The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (shared with Gauteng)

The Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site

THE PROVINCE