It was an ordinary afternoon. As ordinary as you can get living out in the wilderness of Africa as the birds sang from the trees and the insects called from the grass. It was hot, too. One of the first real heatwaves of summer. The summer heat in South Africa is something that you need to experience in order to understand. It has a tenacity to it. But it’s gentle too, encompassing you in it. Welcoming even. In many ways, this heat mirrors the qualities of what it means to be African. Tenacious but gentle. All-encompassing. Welcoming.
I sat among a group of women whose energy was much like the summer heat. Lillian, an elder in our community, and the head of the Londolozi Housekeeping team, was showing us the many ways in which one can tie a traditional headdress – simply called a duku. The late afternoon sunshine bounced off the established aloes along the village pathway. Work was done for the day. We were simply in ‘the ubuntu’ of life… being together. Being because others were around us too.
The river sand that covers the pathways was crunching quietly under her feet as Lillian shifted and swayed. As we chatted about the meaning of these traditional headdresses I watched Lil’s hand deftly manipulate the bright pieces of Shweshwe material as she twisted and tied it around each woman’s head. In a matter of minutes, with the ease of many, many hours of practice, Lil transformed a piece of material into African elegance. When we gathered, the ladies around me were all dressed in the Londolozi uniform of White shirts and black pants. But, as soon as Lillian had worked her magic, each creation transformed the group into beautiful individuals, each with her own expression by way of their duku. Creating beauty through uniqueness. And reminding me of what heritage truly means.
As I sat with my Londolozi sisters, I saw that heritage is not simply something from the past. It lives in the present. It is living. It’s something that is handed down from the past, a way in which to preserve tradition. But, just as we would pass a bowl of food around a table, it is the active expression of sharing amongst us that preserves these traditions. Heritage must live and be practiced to promote diversity, social cohesion, and peace. Heritage must live- not only in order to preserve knowledge but to foster all the ways in which we can actively learn. Learn about acceptance. Learn about belonging. Learn about what it truly means to be human through all the lenses of the world. Learn about love.
I quietly absorbed this lesson and appreciated the history being passed down to me at that moment- it made me think about the heritage of all of us. While there are many, many walks of life that the people around me have come from, we are still united as one. While I have my own journey, I too am intertwined with the journey of this land, and these animals and these people that share this place with me. I thought about the responsibility we all have to remain active in the way that we celebrate where we have come from and decide how we want to make our own heritage live on.
It may only officially be Heritage Day in South Africa but use today to acknowledge, celebrate, and teach someone else about your own heritage. For through our uniqueness there is great beauty. And through our togetherness, there is immeasurable power.
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The best skills & lessons in life are better shared outside of classrooms. #not all classrooms have 4 walls is fully exhibited above.
Cultural appreciation personified.To a large extent we have inherited vital cultural and historical values from generation to generation.
The smile and Sun both exhibit or must l say embody the true values of ubuntu.. Togetherness syncs well with the various symbiotic relationships on display in the wilderness.
Dear Ladies you could create a new brand and maybe share profit with poor people (like school for children ) and nature conservation. .. just an idea. I’d love to purchase it!
Lovely blog Amanda. It is all so true. Proud to be a South African and of our heritage.
Salut the Unity exhibited by the 🌈 rainbow Nation.very inspiring
Such a beautiful message. Thank you.
A thoughtful and lovely piece Amanda for this Heritage Day (and my birthday). Thank you.
Happy birthday Linda!
Happy birthday 🎂 Linda.
Amanda, I loved all the photos, I saved the one of the five girls🤗
Lovely article on heritage and how important it is to know about one’s own heritage and cherish it.
Inspiring thoughts, Amanda. And I couldn’t help but think about how much cultural tradition, heritage, is passed on by women. Women sharing the old stories, the ways of the past to sisters and new generations. Inspiring!
Lovely Amanda …thank you 🙏🏻💕
Powerful words at a time when these values must be respected, preserved and cherished.
Beautiful ❤️🙏🏼❤️
Beautifully expressed in your words, the Ubuntu of life truly exists within Londolozi. Teaching, learning, sharing, understanding, caring, and loving are essential for all of us to exist together without strife. May your heritage day celebration inspire people beyond your border to live up to the meaning of Ubuntu.
Wonderful. ingenious way to celebrate and acknowledge heritage. Love the individuality as well as all the smiling faces!
Very special! A super blog.
How lovely of you to share these lovely photos along with the history behind all those beautiful faces. Most informative and appreciated. We all must never stop learning. Sent with love;
Happy Heritage Day to all of you at Londolozi!!
Beautiful cultural heritage appreciation & lovely photographs.
Oh Amanda.. what a beautifully written post.. may I please (tagging Londolozi) repost on my instagram.. I am an ex S African living in Sydney.. .thanks a million in advance.. x j
Yes of course, that would be wonderful!
What a beautiful story! Thank you.
The smile accompanying the creativity sums up the oneness which embodies the cultural heritage.
may the spirit of ubuntu exhibited by Team Londolozi spread its wings across borders.you really are a success story of african wilderness lands
Londolozi has exceptional marketing dpmnt which over the past 6months has extensively enlightened & taught wide ranging valuable topics which are nature related + socially relevant .career wise we have witnessed all key departments in safari world ie cullinary,photography all giving top notch world class presentations. thank you so much for empowering us
Such a lovely piece of writing! Thank you for sharing Amanda. Just gorgeous photos too💕