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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - According to the convener of the historical Khoi Cultural Festival, hosted in Mossel Bay this weekend, Paramount Chief Gail Lawrence said, that the main aim is to get the chiefs together.
The festival kicked off yesterday, with the programme continuing at the Dias Museum Complex this morning.
At the opening ceremony this morning, Khoi leadership and their wives arrived in cultural attire, whilst a brass band played joyous music, prayers were made, and songs were sung.
PHOTO GALLERY: Khoi Cultural Festival in Mossel Bay
Executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Dirk Kotzé honoured the Khoi as the first nation of Southern Africa. “Welcome home,” Kotzé said. Kotzé explained his greeting in terms of the archaeological finds at the Pinnacle Point caves, which points to the roots of modern man.
Kotzé referred to a group of people, who, following a disaster that spelt the end of the world thousands of years ago, managed to survive by being in tune with nature. Members of this group, according to archaeological finds, moved down to the Southern Cape and dwelled here. Eventually, as they developed, some left and spread across the globe, but the Khoi and the San stayed behind.
“You are what South Africa is all about. You are where our history begins. You are the cornerstone of our history. You can be an example to us all on how to join hands and work together as one.”
VIDEO - Khoi chiefs meet at historical festival:
He thanked the group for choosing Mossel Bay as their destination for this historical event and mentioned that in the words of Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, they have contributed much to Mossel Bay’s unique “cultural warmth”.
Paramount Chief Gail Lawrence emphasized the necessity of knowing your roots. “The soil calls to us, to tell who I am supposed to be in essence. As the first people, we are inherently humble and giving. We tend to give away so much, that we end up having to fight for what we lost. We are here to build unity.”
She thanked the Mossel Bay Municipality for their excellent support to host the festival.
Chief Jerome van Aswegen Khoi Tiekie Saba emphasized that the festival has at its core purpose to work together as the Khoi leadership. “We cannot push each other away.
The festival continues today and tomorrow focusing on other cultural activities. This includes a cleansing ceremony at the St Blaize Cave, a talk on customary law and modern customs, riel dancing, poetry, signing of treaties and a banquet.
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