Featured Indigenous Literature
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Celebrating Indigenous Voices
Book Highlights
Thought to be extinct until fairly recently, N|uu – an ancient San language from the Tuu family – re-emerged in the Northern Cape during the late 1990s when people who were able to speak the language fluently were encouraged to contribute to its survival and revival.
At the time, there was a group of about 20 older people who could speak the language fluently, among them Ouma Katrina and her siblings. Sadly, Ouma Katrina is the last of the group still alive.
She has, however, made it her life’s mission to preserve the language for the future by educating young people from her community in a tiny classroom at her house in Rosedale, outside Upington in the Northern Cape.
“There were only 20 of us who could speak the language and when no one else wanted to teach it to others, I decided that I would,” said Ouma Katrina.
Her granddaughter, Claudia Snyman, is one of her keenest protégés and co-authored Qhoi n|a Tijho (Tortoise and Ostrich), a N|uu children’s book, with her grandmother in 2021. Illustrations by Stanley Grootboom.
- Authentic stories
- Rich heritage
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Cultural Treasures
Long ago, the indigenous people of the Tsitsikamma knew of the healing power of the
forest streams. Tiqua the Great Warrior was a wise chief in those times. After saving some stolen children from Gaunab the evil destroyer, he turns to the river to bring the children
back to health.
Lank, lank gelede het die inheemse inwoners van die Tsitsikamma geweet van die
genesende krag van die bos se strome. Tiqua die Groot Vegter was ‘n wyse hoofman in daardie dae. Nadat hy ‘n paar gesteelde kinders gered het van Gaunab die bose verwoester, gaan hy na die rivier om die kinders gesond te maak.
‘n Inheemse Tsitsikammastorie oorvertel in Engels, Afrikaans en isiXhosa.
Kudaladala, abantu bemveli baseTsitsikamma babesazi ngamandla aphilisayo emisinga
yamanzi asehlathini. UTiqua iGorha eliKhulu wayeyinkosi enobulumko yaloo maxesha. Emveni kokuba ehlanguale abantwana ababiwayo ngumtshabalalisi okhohlakeleyo uGaunab, ubalekela emlanjeni ukubuyisela impilo ebantwaneni.
Ibali labantu bemveli baseTsitsikama elibaliswe ngesiNgesi, ngesiAfrikansi nangesiXhosa.
isiXhosa translations crafted by the acclaimed and multi-award-winning author Sindiwe Magona, with Afrikaans translations skillfully rendered by the renowned author Diana Ferrus.

An indigenous Tsitsikamma story told in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
Illustrator: Stanley Grootboom
Language: Multilingual
Format: Paperback
- Heritage stories
- Traditional art
- Indigenous voices
Heritage Books
We honor the rich heritage and cultural significance of indigenous literature, offering a curated selection that celebrates diverse voices and stories.
