!Habesi / Indigene Corefio |Huuke Harris (ZA), /Xam Sam Fortuin (ZA), Xopher Wallace (ZA), Dr Diana Ferrus (ZA), Sthando Masuku (ZA), Elder Nkosenathi Koela (ZA)

!Habesi means "roots". The term comes from the N|uu, the language of the San, who were the first wildcatters in southern Africa. Their language, which is threatened by extinction, comprises 112 different sounds, including 45 characteristic clicks, and has been passed down orally for generations. Habesi campaigns for the land rights of the indigenous people, who were deprived of their homeland in the 17th century and are still prevented from reclaiming their land by the South African Land Rights Act passed in 1913. At the center of the project is Ouma Katrina (87) who, despite her age and the fact that she herself never learned to read or write, is fighting for the future of her people and their language. !Habesi has captured her stories in images, music, poetry and augmented reality and transformed them into a unique sound journey.

 

Photo showing: /Xam Sam Fortuin

 

Credits

Production: |Kx’am

Sound production: Indigenous Frequency Cast

Composer: Queen Katrina

Indigenous instrumentalist: Mntana WeXwele

Poet: Dr Diana Ferrus

Poet: Indigene Corefio|Huuke Harris

Researcher: Hamid Ntetha

Fine artist: /Xam Sam Fortuin

Videographer: Sthando Masuku

AR visual artist: Xopher Wallace

Costume: Gift Kgosi (No Modern Slave)

Grace: Tsui Goab (God)

Medicine: Our Divine Ancestors

 

Photo: Courtesy of the Artists

 

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