Comments for Knot of Stone

Comment on Home by Nicolaas Vergunst

Nicolaas Vergunst — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 17:36:12 +0000

Yes, I agree, we all feel hurt and want to rewrite history, Emile, but this isn’t new or limited to Africa. In Europe, or at least where I now live, the struggle to rewrite history dates back to a time when our communities struggled under Roman military occupation along the Rhine. Our pagan past and agrarian identity was at stake. Today the Netherlands has a well-established tradition in which we continuously rewrite history or re-evaluate what happened because insights change and new voices need to be heard. For us, here and now, rewriting history is usually a broad collective effort and conducted as an open public debate.

I wish the same for the rewriting of the 1510 battle at the Cape. The official Portuguese account remained unquestioned for 500 years and most history books still repeat the same mix of facts, lies and propaganda; even though these were recorded by court chroniclers long after the event. This account was perpetuated by Dutch and English colonialists. As you correctly point out, one story should never dominate or be used to oppress others. My version is based on an oral tradition (Stein, 1924) that challenges conventional accounts of the skirmish and, hopefully, opens up new or alternative interpretations for all concerned — that is, for both you and I, Emile. May we share our insights and hear each other’s voices today. May our endeavours prove worthwhile to others too.

See http://www.knotofstone.com/quarterly-bulletin

As for the lie of 1652, I don’t think any serious South African buys into this ‘birth of a nation’ stuff anymore. Those who still do haven’t been paying attention to what’s taught in class, reported via the media or available online. As I recall, the colonial narrative passed its sell-by date with the 1988 Dias Festival boycott when local people protested “whose history is it anyway?”. Since then local stories have gained the high ground. The rest is history. Hamba kahle!

Comment on Home by Emile YX

Emile YX — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 01:53:26 +0000

People are hurt and they want to find their own story without others insisting that EUROCATION is the only way. Let people find their own way and maybe you will also learn a new way of helping EQUALITY OF THE MIND TO EXIST IN EUROPEAN DESCENDANTS TOWARDS AFRICA & AFRICANS – WHERE AFRICANS TELL THEIR OWN STORIES MY BRO — os kry nou eers n kans en djy wil somma os weer stil maak — laat os vir os self leer — ek sal jou boek lees, ma lees oek vir The Lie of 1652 by Patric Mellet en annes oorie topic…

My point is books are written by those who pressed the people for such a long time and now that we search for alternatives to their one story and the impact it has had on us, they insist we only use their references and their research and be right immediately. THIS FROM THE HERITAGE THAT INSISTED WE STARTED IN 1652. Nah my bro man — laat die lees en vir hulle self vind.

Comment on Conference paper 2019 by Nicolaas Vergunst

Nicolaas Vergunst — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 19:00:59 +0000

RIP FW de Klerk, vizier, godfather and courageous diplomat: “Think not that he was treacherous or cowardly, for he did this not to save himself but to save his country.” Cited by Laurence Oliver, Out of Eden, 2001, p.131. See also Knot of Stone, pp.418-422.

For a succinct and concise overview of De Klerk’s contested career, including his posthumous farewell, read/listen to Ray Hartley’s article in BusinessDay (11.11.2021). https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2021-11-11-ray-hartley-de-klerk-was-a-leader-at-war-with-his-history

Comment on Reviews by CraigMap

CraigMap — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 05:35:14 +0000

Wow, superb website. Thnx …

Comment on Conference paper 2019 by Greetje Lubbi

Greetje Lubbi — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 18:46:57 +0000

I read your paper with much interest. As with your book Knot of Stone I am again fascinated by what the ancestral voice lets us see. And I find the similarities between the photos most striking.

Comment on Conference paper 2019 by Steve Roberts

Steve Roberts — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 20:41:04 +0000

Good meaty stuff, Nicolaas, and now on record in an important arena. We work and leave signposts for the future, not necessarily for these (dissolving) times.

Comment on Conference paper 2019 by Vassil Anastassov

Vassil Anastassov — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 10:30:06 +0000

A fine mix of history, politics, memory and poetics.

Comment on 6. Germany by Nicolaas Vergunst

Nicolaas Vergunst — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 20:20:54 +0000

According to this article, Queen Wilhelmina knew the German Kaiser planned to ask her for asylum in the Netherlands: https://nos.nl/artikel/2258552-koningin-wilhelmina-wist-dat-duitse-keizer-naar-nederland-zou-komen.html

Comment on Conference Paper 2017 by Frans Lutters

Frans Lutters — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 14:09:28 +0000

Ik heb je lezing nog eens goed doorgenomen en ben diep onder de indruk. To the point, very good quotes, en een belangrijke doorlopende lijn in de gedachte en begripsvorming! Krachtig, bescheiden en innoverend. Wat heb je een duidelijke taal en een prachtig gevoel voor de combinatie van tekst en beeld. Compliment!

Comment on Conference Paper 2017 by Laurence Oliver

Laurence Oliver — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 16:04:41 +0000

As usual I think you’ve done it splendidly.
Really impressive.
Thanks for sharing it with me.
All good wishes for the conference.

Comment on Exploring past and present lives—Jacob Zuma by Nicolaas Vergunst

Nicolaas Vergunst — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:55:28 +0000

Although rare and unique, its authenticity is uncertain as no historical documents link it to Montezuma or, for that matter, to any other Aztec ruler. Moreover, it is not known if the headdress was ever worn, officially or otherwise, nor by whom. The provenance of exotic curiosities were often forgotten or, simply, incorrectly registered; such as the Brazilian axe in Vienna that was (similarly) attributed to “Montezuma II, Inca of Mexico”. For more info on feathered imports and how they found their way to Vienna, see Vienna’s Mesoamerican Featherworks.

Comment on Exploring past and present lives—Jacob Zuma by Anita Venezia

Anita Venezia — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 02:57:18 +0000

Could it really be the big Ms headdress or a later artifact?

Comment on Exploring past and present lives—Jacob Zuma by Sonja Haas

Sonja Haas — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 19:04:16 +0000

Montezuma's feathered headdress to stay in Vienna, for now, says latest report: Verentooi Montezuma blijft in Wenen.

Comment on 1. South Africa by Sonja Haas

Sonja Haas — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 07:24:43 +0000

I’d love to revisit the SA Museum and see Prof Mendle again. He made my stint in Cape Town a memorable experience. Greetings from Leiden.

Comment on East meets West, where? by Nicolaas Vergunst

Nicolaas Vergunst — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:05:17 +0000

The meridian doesn't exist today, Deenanath, although Chile and Argentina recently used the Treaty of Tordesillas to claim their part of the Antarctic and Falklands, respectively. Until 1898 the treaty divided territories between Spain and Portugal, and thus shaped modern Latin America. However, already long before this other nations simply ignored the treaty and extended their colonial powers on both sides of the line: "If you can take it, even if it belongs to others, then its yours." This rule governed the expanding new world. Read further here: Treaty of Tordesillas.