HERITAGE ROUTE - Sarah Bartmann Burial Place: National Cultural Heritage Site
Very little is known about the early years of this Khoekhoe girl. She was born around 1789 in the Eastern Cape, somewhere in the vicinity of the Gamtoos River. By 1806 she had moved to the Western Cape and stayed in rural Maitland. In 1810, while she was working as a maid on the farm of Peter Cezar, her life changed. She was persuaded by Alexander Dunlop, a ship surgeon, to embark on a ship for England, not knowing that she would never see her birth place again. Governor Caledon gave permission that she could be taken to England and the young Sarah was exhibited as the "Hottentot Venus" in Piccadilly Circus
The European public and scientists were fascinated by her prominent posterior and sex organs. She was put into a cage and described as 'a wild animal'. Amused onlookers paid an admission fee and then she was paraded, half-naked, in the cage. This inhumane treatment of the young Khoi-San girl forced the African Association in London into action and Dunlop was taken to court. The case was dismissed, however, as a document was produced that indicated that she had agreed to come to London "of her own free will".
Little is known of the rest of her life in England, but it is documented that she was baptised in an Anglican Church in Manchester, England on 1 December 1811. There is some indication that she married a West Indian by whom she had two children.
In 1814 Hendrik Cezar, brother of her former employer, took her to Paris where he sold her to a showman Reaux, who exhibited her in the Rue Neuve des Petits. She was, once more, the object of amusement and derision. In March of 1815 she was examined by a commission of zoologists and physiologists and was also painted in the nude. Her health declined and she died during the next year at the age of 27, possibly of pneumonia. A mold was made of her body so that a positive image could be created.
This is still on show at the Musée de l'Homme in Paris. Within hours of her death, prominent French scientist, Georges Cuvier, was granted permission to dissect her. He paid special attention to her buttocks, private parts and brain. After the dissection, her skeleton, together with her brain and external private parts, was mounted on a stand for display at the museum. In 1974 her remains were removed and placed in storage.
The struggle to get her remains back to South Africa started in 1995 when the South African and French Governments got together to discuss the matter. On 21 February 2002 the French National Assembly unanimously voted in favour of her return to the land of her birth.
On 1 May 2002 campaigners rejoiced when the remains of Sarah Bartmann finally returned to South Africa after an absence of nearly 200 years. Fitting festivities were organised to celebrate her return and to ensure that her remains were treated with great reverence. A traditional Khoi-San "dressing" ceremony was held on Sunday, 4 August 2002. These festivities were seen not as an opportunity to mourn the death of Sarah Bartmann, but to rather celebrate her life and her image.
Sarah Bartmann’s Burial Place on Vergaderingskop in Hankey overlooks a beautiful section the fertile Gamtoos valley.
Women's Day on 9 August 2002 was chosen as the fitting date for the burial. Numerous South African dignitaries, including President Thabo Mbeki attended the proceedings. In his address the president proclaimed the site a heritage site
WAVE ROUTE - Seal Point Lighthouse (1878) tallest masonry tower on the South African coast, standing at a height of 27.5 meters and is now a National Monument. Also houses the Adjubatis Marine Rescue Centre and Coffee Shop from where Lighthouse Tours can be booked.
HERITAGE ROUTE - Kouga Cultural Centre
Open Mondays – Fridays 09:00 – 16:00, you are most welcome to explore the architecture and ancient African symbolism contained in the Cultural Centre. Air and light flow freely through the roof opening at the centre of the giant dome constructed out of sustainable natural materials. Contact Humansdorp Tourism for updated information on exhibitions and events held at the Centre.
Contact: 042 2911760
Email: kougaculture@ec108.org.za
HERITAGE ROUTE - Philips Tunnel
An irrigation tunnel scheme, now a national monument, built in 1844, used for 125 years.
Carried out by William Enowy Philip, the son of the Superintendent of the LMS, Dr John Philip. His inspiration was the window in the hill between Backhousehoek and Vensterhoek and was dug using pick and shovel and wheelbarrows.
The length of the tunnel is 228 meters and the speed of construction was very slow - about 1 to 2 feet a day. It was started in April 1843 and completed in August 1844 - 15 months later. It was in use from April 1845 to 1970 - a period of 125 years. This was the first ever tunnel scheme in South Africa.
Tragically Philip and his niece, drowned on the Tunnel’s opening day, 1 June 1845, when their small boat overturned at the Milton drift on the Gamtoos River.
HERITAGE ROUTE - Also in Hankey, you will find the largest Sun Dial in Africa. It is 34.6m in diameter. The gnomon is 18m high and weighs one ton. It is Hankey's 160-years Founders' monument.
Mr Dirk Schellingerhout, resident of Hankey was the driving force behind the huge Hankey sundial.
According to the book, "Sundials Old and New" by an Englishman, Herbert, it had always been the dream of the author to erect a huge dial, but due to a lack of space, he had not been able to. In the book he also gave directions needed for building one.
In 1989 Oom Dirk completed the dial and wrote to the publishers of Herbert's book, asking them to inform the author now his dream sun dial had been built. The dial, the biggest in the southern hemisphere lies at the foot of Vergaderingskop, at the entrance to the town.
The most magnificent views of the Gamtoos floodplain can be seen from the Toposcope in Hankey which is also situated on Vergaaderingskop at Sarah Bartmann’s Burial Place.
HERITAGE ROUTE - Philips Graves
Dr John Philip head of the London Missionary Society in South Africa, started Hankey with the purpose of the establishment of the village being to grow mielies and corn for the LMS main station at Bethelsdorp and also to carry out evangelistic work.
The Phillips Graves are situated behind the old "Philip Manse" beside the railway line and maintained by the Congregational Church.
HERITAGE ROUTE - Gunpowder Magazine Ruins
Near "Vergaderings Kop", later 19th century. About six sq. metres in area although very little remains to be seen now.
WAVE ROUTE - Shell Museum
Hosting an incredible collection of shells and marine skeletons in honour of Charlotte Kritzinger who started the collection in 1945.
Jeffreys Bay has always been associated with its beautiful & rich variety of shells. The Shell Museum of Jeffreys Bay has become world renowned & is visited by shell fanatics from all over. Here in serene ambience, housed in glass cases like precious jewels, are a variety of shells from all over the world. See the legendary cowry, the rare paper nautilus, tiny baby jam tarts, & a new species of cone. The Shell Museum is open Monday to Saturdays from 09h00 to 16h00 & Sundays between 09h00 & 13h00. Local shells & shell craft can be purchased just outside the museum from the shell shops & stalls.
WAVE ROUTE - Surf Museum
The need to create a surf museum in Jeffreys Bay was for many reasons. Essentially, Jeffreys Bay is one of the top ten surfing destinations in the world, so to have a surf museum in this typically surf driven town was always a must. The world renowned "Super Tubes", a famous point break right-hander is the pinnacle of Jeffreys Bay and the destination that every young surfer throughout the world aspires to one day being able to ride. It is the perfect wave surrounded by dolphins and the occasional whale. Nature at her best... This is also one of the venues for the current WCT world contest surfing tour, where the top 44 international surfers compete in July every year. The tour stretches over 14 different surfing locations culminating in the final event held at "Pipeline" in Hawaii for the prestigious world surfing crown. The museum is also about remembering the history of surfing and paying tribute to the many surfing pioneers and legends that have developed the sport over a span of several years. This is not only about the people and personalities but also about the evolution of the actual surfboard from wooden boards to the ultra light foam and glass fibre surfboards that exist today. The Jeffreys Bay museum encompasses all this and more. It imbibes the spirit of surfing. Walking through the museum immediately makes one aware of that special magic which exists between the surfer and the ocean, the realization that only a surfer truly knows the feeling...
HERITAGE ROUTE - Humansdorp Museum
Visitors can trace the growth and development of Humansdorp through displays of farming implements, photos, clothing and crockery. Take special note in the pantry for insight into traditional uses for medicinal and culinary herbs.
Open Mondays – Fridays 10:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 16:00, 17 Bureau Street, Humansdorp, Tel: 042 295 2903
