Beads
Indigenous Identity
Khoi and San beads, composed of seeds, abalone, ostrich eggshells and other natural materials, define a person’s status and the specific path in their indigenous journey. Usually presented during indigenous rituals, the colour and pattern of the beads define clan association, with the white beads indicating role of the wearer as peacemaker. When an indigenous steward dyes their beads are broken and buried with the human remains and a new set of beads is handed to a family relative.
We believe that humans were created by the Supreme Being to develop via four phases, namely, birth, puberty (adolescence), marriage and death. We thread all our years like beads in a necklace, but those four stages stand out like shiny diamonds. Each phase constitutes a critical time, a n/au, and the person must be assisted by elders with rites of passage. That happens in seclusion and originally lasted about a month. A newborn’s umbilical cord is buried nearby, with the thought that it’ll be there where she or he will one day be buried.
In days gone by the second ritual commenced after a girl’s first menstruation and a boy when he shows the signs of growing up. Today they are still secluded as “hut maidens” and “hut young men” and taught everything about our culture, values and practical things like musical instruments, although at a later date. A couple who wants to get married learns about the responsibilities of married life and parenting. As already mentioned, the deceased is buried in a sitting position, facing east toward God as the last bead in our string. Furthermore, at all our ceremonies and rituals, khoigoed-herbs are burned and the smoke rising up symbolizes our prayers.
Thus we move with these two sentinals from the Red Light in the east to the Black Light in the west and complete our life journey toward the Light, where Huwe–Tsui//Goab lives.”
-Dr. Willa Boezak
Text from Struggle of an Ancient Faith: the Khoi-San of South Africa.
Cape Town: Bidvest Data, 2017.
