The Quagga
Creativity & freedom
In Khoisan and San folklore, the Quagga represents strength, creativity and freedom. Because of its distinctive appearance and peculiar stripes, indigenous folklore associated these specific qualities with individuality, for each quagga is thought to have its own unique pattern of stripes. The quagga is depicted in several rock art sites and this enduring symbol of freedom now serves as a central element in many Khoi indigenous garments and is featured in the masthead of the Hessequa Khoikhoi Tribal House.
We believe that it’s God’s will that humans should live in a respectful relationship with Mother Earth. We never took more than necessary from nature. Unfortunately, the Europeans came with a completely different attitude and annihilated the quagga, which was an indigenous South African animal. The last herd was killed in 1878. Some quaggas were taken overseas as rarities in zoos and the last one died in Amsterdam, 1883. Paramount Chief Reggie Boesak of Montagu, after prior conversations with prof. Henry ‘Jatti’ Bredekamp, was ordained as the tribal head of the /Heisiqua in 2000 by the late Archbishop Daniel Kanyiles (/hài or hei means tree). Their other symbol is the wild peartree. The Tree-people bring the extinct quagga back to life.
Each quagga’s stripes are unique. No two quaggas are precisely alike. They enhance individuality like fingerprints do. Therefore, it symbolizes the fact that the Most High granted us unique personalities and talents in order to strengthen our communities.”
-Dr. Willa Boezak
Text from Struggle of an Ancient Faith: the Khoi-San of South Africa.
Cape Town: Bidvest Data, 2017.
