The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San

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dc.contributor.advisorCooper, Brendaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorThoma, Noraen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-10-31T17:56:57Z
dc.date.available2014-10-31T17:56:57Z
dc.date.issued2009en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 80-87).en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis minor dissertation examines the complex question of the issues relating to the identity of the ‡Khomani San of the Southern Kalahari in South Africa. Through qualitative fieldwork and secondary research, the dissertation illustrates that the ‡Khomani San have an identity, even though it is partially constructed, multifaceted and heterogeneous. This can be understood better through the paradox of "indigenous modernity" which combines traditions and modernity in one. The ‡Khomani San thus set an example of bridging the gap of dichotomies. In building this argument, the thesis first positions the ‡Khomani San as indigenous people in a global, African and South African context. This discussion highlights that one aspect of ‡Khomani San identity is based on their status as indigenous people. Secondly, the history of the ‡Khomani San is delineated, detailing the influence of colonialism and apartheid on ‡Khomani San resources, culture and identity. Here, the important connection between land and ‡Khomani San identity is emphasised. Thirdly, the dissertation explores the contemporary situation of the ‡Khomani San through the narratives of interviewed individuals. These ‡Khomani San voices speak to the ways in which recent developments concerning their land, traditional knowledge and livelihood have influenced the construction of their identity. Within these recent developments, the impact of external forces such as NGOs and government on the ‡Khomani San are also described. Through these interview narratives, binaried representations of the ‡Khomani San identity as either traditionalist or modernist are challenged. Rather, the ‡Khomani San identity is (re)interpreted as a hybrid of both 'traditional' and 'modern' values, which creates them into 'indigenous modernities'.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationThoma, N. (2009). <i>The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,African Studies. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8992en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationThoma, Nora. <i>"The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,African Studies, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8992en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationThoma, N. 2009. The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Thoma, Nora AB - This minor dissertation examines the complex question of the issues relating to the identity of the ‡Khomani San of the Southern Kalahari in South Africa. Through qualitative fieldwork and secondary research, the dissertation illustrates that the ‡Khomani San have an identity, even though it is partially constructed, multifaceted and heterogeneous. This can be understood better through the paradox of "indigenous modernity" which combines traditions and modernity in one. The ‡Khomani San thus set an example of bridging the gap of dichotomies. In building this argument, the thesis first positions the ‡Khomani San as indigenous people in a global, African and South African context. This discussion highlights that one aspect of ‡Khomani San identity is based on their status as indigenous people. Secondly, the history of the ‡Khomani San is delineated, detailing the influence of colonialism and apartheid on ‡Khomani San resources, culture and identity. Here, the important connection between land and ‡Khomani San identity is emphasised. Thirdly, the dissertation explores the contemporary situation of the ‡Khomani San through the narratives of interviewed individuals. These ‡Khomani San voices speak to the ways in which recent developments concerning their land, traditional knowledge and livelihood have influenced the construction of their identity. Within these recent developments, the impact of external forces such as NGOs and government on the ‡Khomani San are also described. Through these interview narratives, binaried representations of the ‡Khomani San identity as either traditionalist or modernist are challenged. Rather, the ‡Khomani San identity is (re)interpreted as a hybrid of both 'traditional' and 'modern' values, which creates them into 'indigenous modernities'. DA - 2009 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2009 T1 - The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San TI - The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8992 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/8992
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationThoma N. The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,African Studies, 2009 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8992en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentAfrican Studiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherAfrican Studiesen_ZA
dc.titleThe paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani Sanen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMAen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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