SASI"s San Cultural Preservation projects aim to contribute to the strengthening, preservation and promotion of San culture and heritage for current and future generations through initiatives that showcase the contribution of San arts & culture. In 1990 few South Africans, or even the world,were aware of the fact that the “rainbow nation” still contained any San peoples at all. It was common knowledge that the process of discrimination and even genocide that had decimated San peoples elsewhere had been particularly effective in South Africa, and it was commonly accepted that the San of South Africa were extinct. While strides have been made toward bridging the gap between the traditional way of life and the reality of the modern world, much still needs to be done. The San have an inherent power of attraction. They have a distinctive culture and a rich, visible history including the likes of stone blades, bows, arrows, pottery and 20 000 years of rock paintings and engravings which provide insight into the way of life and spiritual beliefs of the different San groups. It is without doubt that the legacy of the San people of South Africa, as one of the indigenous people of the country, needs to be nurtured, preserved and promoted. The integrated arts, culture, environment and heritage programme proposed herein aims to strengthen the capacity of the San people to undertake this. It is in this light that SASI is seeking funds for existing and planned initiatives which are based on cultural, heritage and indigenous knowledge of the San People. Specific projects within the program include craft and visual art development & marketing; San language preservation & promotion; Kalahari Desert festival; Indigenous Environmental Education; “Living Heritage” San IKS and IPR Heritage Training.Each project will ensure sustainability through building individual skills and competencies based on identified needs, developing special skills and promoting entrepreneurship (within projects that have livelihood opportunities). Special attention will be paid to inclusion of women and youth in all initiatives.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 11:09:45 +0000
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