Against the 'Khoisan paradigm' in the interpretation of Khoekhoe origins and history: a re-evaluation of Khoekhoe pastoral traditions

Authors

  • F.-X. Fauvelle-Aymar Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Abstract

The idea that all aspects of Khoisan culture are better understood within the frame of the Khoisan universe can be labelled the 'Khoisan paradigm'. Starting with a short history of this leading paradigm, the present article provides arguments to reconsider the Khoekhoe pastoral traditions, a segment of Khoekhoe culture that is crucial to understanding the origin and history of herding/pastoralism in southern Africa. It is argued that, contrary to the biological and linguistic dimensions of the Khoekhoe, these pastoral traditions testify to East African traditions.

To cite this article: Fauvelle-Aymar, F.-X. 2008. Against the 'Khoisan paradigm' in the interpretation of Khoekhoe origins and history: a re-evaluation of Khoekhoe pastoral traditions. Southern African Humanities 20: 77-92.

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Published

2021-02-05

How to Cite

Fauvelle-Aymar, F.-X. (2021). Against the ’Khoisan paradigm’ in the interpretation of Khoekhoe origins and history: a re-evaluation of Khoekhoe pastoral traditions. Southern African Humanities, 20(1), 77–92. Retrieved from https://sahumanities.org/index.php/sah/article/view/181

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2008): Khoekhoe and the origins of herding in southern Africa

Section

Articles