African Cultural Village May 21, 2022

On Saturday, May 21, we accompanied Elder and Sister Humbert to an African Cultural Village.  It was only about an hour northwest of Johannesburg and very interesting.  Most of the other senior couples are scheduled to come next Saturday, but both of us have mission work then.  Here is the entrance to the National Heritage Site.  Lesedi means Place of Light.  They have replicas of the five major tribes in South Africa - the Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho, Ndebele and Pedi.

Here is a map of the Cultural village and each of the five tribal areas.  Our guide was very knowledgeable - he was Zulu!  We walked on rock paths between the different villages - felt very authentic as we were out in the 'bush'!

They had several vender stalls that were closed - it is winter here.  The temperature was cold - 55 degrees and all the Africans were wrapped in blankets!  This was the only souvenir shop that was open.

This is how the staff greeted us!  with a fire and their colorful blankets as they tried to stay warm.

Sister Humbert waiting for the tour to begin.  This room had many drums, they must have a drumming like we had at Hard Rock Cafe.  Wonderful paintings on the walls, and a replica of a village house

 in the corner.

This is a map of South Africa and the areas that the tribes came from originally.

Elder Smith and I at the corner 'village house." You can see that most of the villages were in warmer climates!  I thought of the little pig who built his house of sticks!!

This is the beginning of the Zulu area ... when you go on a journey, our guide said - you pick up a rock out of the surrounding land and spit on it and throw it on the pile in the middle - assuring you of a safe journey and arrival back home!  We all did it!!

Elder Smith at the far left side of the picture.  The weather was cool and cloudy most of our tour - the sun came out as we were eating lunch and getting ready to leave!