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

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-87).

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Thoma, Nora
Other Authors: Cooper, Brenda
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: African Studies 2014
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access_status_str Open Access
author Thoma, Nora
author2 Cooper, Brenda
author_browse Cooper, Brenda
Thoma, Nora
author_facet Cooper, Brenda
Thoma, Nora
author_sort Thoma, Nora
collection Thesis
description Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-87).
format Thesis
id oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/8992
institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language eng
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:33:40.116Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2014
publishDateRange 2014
publishDateSort 2014
publisher African Studies
publisherStr African Studies
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source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/8992 The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San Thoma, Nora Cooper, Brenda African Studies Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-87). 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'. 2014-10-31T17:56:57Z 2014-10-31T17:56:57Z 2009 Master Thesis Masters MA http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8992 eng application/pdf African Studies Faculty of Humanities University of Cape Town
spellingShingle African Studies
Thoma, Nora
The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San
thesis_degree_str Master's
title The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San
title_full The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San
title_fullStr The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San
title_full_unstemmed The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San
title_short The paradox of "indigenous modernity" : a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡Khomani San
title_sort paradox of indigenous modernity a case study of the construction of identity among the ‡khomani san
topic African Studies
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8992
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