Thursday, 19 February 2009

Soccer and composite rural entertainment

Cultural activities are being seriously degraded across South Africa as a component of a tourism industry dominated by values derived from European settlement. Despite the emergence of a significant black leisure market, much product packaging remains tailored to American, European and white South African tastes and value systems.

These pictures were taken at a soccer tournament held to launch a business development venture in a deep rural part of the Wild Coast (Cwebe village). The tournament guaranteed attendance of large numbers of villagers, and allowed an assortment of cultural groups to showcase traditional dancing.

What makes these pictures unique is that the activities were directed at local residents, without the trappings and compromises involved in the tourism industry. More pictures will be released in subsequent postings. The event took place in a particularly picturesque valley, surrounded by village dwellings and indigenous forest, with the sea clearly visible close by.

While older participants naturally organised their performances in synchrony with their experience of traditional activities and dress, organisers of the youth groups are dedicated and highly committed crafters of traditional culture, operating without financial or logistical support.

4 comments:

Fiks said...

I was there too. Can I send an honest commentary on my experiences there. It would mean changing people's names of course not that i mind using the real ones. Better reply quick as i might just send it unedited

Freddy Jonas said...

Could be very entertaining...

Sarah McCarthy said...

Hi Fiks; I did some research in the area into the HIV infection rates associated with outsider movements and heard some highly ...mmm... 'fascinating' stories about you. So please share your experiences!

Fiks said...

Ok Freddy, it is interesting but while we may be as distant kin as I am to the Jonas Brothers, but who are you? The whole round of , who, where, when, what, why and forget about the how. Your parents can answer that one but email me or check on Facebook so we can leave this mad hatter's blog.

Sarah, I seen to leave a trail of such stories in my wake, whether fact or fantasy is solely in the minds of the narrators and their romanticized perceptions of me. I find a lot of them true, a lot embellished and decorated, a lot I have never been thru but suffice it to say, I am still as HIV negative as -27 on the numberline. Pray tell the same as Freddy. Send a pic. I remember faces much better than names