First Nations Cleansing ceremony blesses new classroom structure at Green Point Urban Park
10 June 2023
The First Nations Groups representing the Khoekhoen/Gam/San descendants conducted a cleansing ceremony at the construction site of a dome classroom structure in the Experiential Education Garden (EEG) at Green Point Urban Park. The dome which will represent a Khoekhoen dwelling will be constructed over the next two months. When open, the dome will feature a permanent Khoekhoen exhibition and offer educational programmes to share the history of the First Nations People. Read more below:
The City is currently conducting a public participation process with the purpose to solicit input and comments from key stakeholders, such as the First Nations Groups (e.g. the Khoekhoen/Gam/San descendants), and all other residents who may be interested. This is to ensure that the information the City intends to display to visitors about the heritage and culture of the Khoekhoen is respectful, accurate and mindful of the fact that this history does not belong to the City, but to the First Nation people.
It was expressed during the first public participation workshop that it is critical that a cleansing ceremony should be conducted by representatives of the Khoekhoen/Gam/San.
Khoekhoen/Gam/San cleansing ceremonies involve lifting of the eland horns and burning impepho, a dried indigenous African plant that the Khoi and San traditionally burn to communicate with their ancestors.
‘Today’s cleansing ceremony was the First Nations Groups’ tradition to acknowledge their ancestors. Its purpose is also to reawaken a sense of dignity and connection with the silenced narrative of people whose histories we plan to honour and celebrate with this dome classroom and the educational materials. As a city, we honoured this traditional ceremony today to demonstrate that we understand the precious and deep nature of this local history and the many untold stories that stem from these groups.
‘Working with the First Nations Groups during this public participation period has provided us with such critical insight. I believe that this is a step in the right direction with regards to uncovering and sharing their rich local history with our children and adults alike,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
During the rituals today very important ancestor names were chanted in every direction, from north, east, south and west, as if to summon and also ensure that there is a cyclical component in terms of the rhythm and how the leaders are connecting within the space.
The Experiential Education Garden (EEG) is an innovative project currently being built on the edge of Green Point Park. When completed, it will serve as an outdoor environmental education space for learners and a safe place for visitors to immerse themselves in nature. The first phase of the EEG project was launched in December 2020 and during the current phase more elements, such as the dome structured classroom, is being added.
The aim of the EEG is to reconnect people and especially children to the environment in a creative and fun way. The addition of the KhoeKhoen dome structure; exhibition and lesson elements will further enhance the EEG’s offering to all visitors.
The dome to be constructed is a unique and very impressive structure. It is made up of 20 massive curved timber beams that come together at the top in a ring of timber. These are anchored to the base of the dome with steel brackets. This type of dome structure has never been built in South Africa before. The weathered look of the dome will be another deliberate attempt to mimic the varied colours of the Khoekhoen huts, which take on a patchwork appearance over time as different sections were replaced with new grass mats.
The experiential garden promises to be a place of discovery and learning. If all goes according to plan the project should be complete by the end of 2023.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
