|
|
|
|
|
Once upon a time, before the world became a global village, Halloween was never a thing in South Africa. It was something from ‘overseas’, like television was. Somehow – perhaps because we were exposed to it when TV eventually arrived – the event has made its way onto our calendar and into our stores, even though it's nowhere near the commercial heights it's reached in the USA. Yet.
|
Of course, America wasn't the birthplace of Halloween. It originated in Western Europe during the ancient time of the Celts whose pagan festival, Samhain (pronounced Sahwin) on October 31st celebrated the autumn harvest. Historical accounts describe an occasion characterized by, among other festive goings-on, community fires, gluttonous feasting, and mead-induced merriment. A sort of last fling, perhaps, before the long dark winter set in. Or maybe it was a way folk fortified themselves to face the spooky aspect of Samhain – the breaching of the barrier between the physical and spirit domains, which brought humans into close contact with the beings of the other world. What a party it must have been – ancestors coming back to join in the fun; faeries, elves, and other creatures getting up to all manner of mischief; shape-shifting apparitions floating about; the undead disguising themselves as monsters or animals to trick other beings that were intent on kidnapping the living or stealing their souls. Interwoven with the festival was a rich mythology that told stories of battles, heroes, imps, headless horseback riders, ghouls, and evil denizens of the underworld. For some reason, I suddenly find myself thinking of our upcoming local elections that are being held the day after Halloween. What harvest awaits us? Will we take to drink? But that’s another story.
|
In the meantime, dip into this week’s edition to read about other myths, heartbreak in the suburbs, a sad haunting, harvests in our own land, army hijinks, a stairway to heaven, the stories your face tells, and those a skilled photographer captures.
|
|
Once upon a time, before the world became a global village, Halloween was never a thing in South Africa. It was something from ‘overseas’, like television was. Somehow – perhaps because we were exposed to it when TV eventually arrived – the event has made its way onto our calendar and into our stores, even though it's nowhere near the commercial heights it's reached in the USA. Yet.
|
Of course, America wasn't the birthplace of Halloween. It originated in Western Europe during the ancient time of the Celts whose pagan festival, Samhain (pronounced Sahwin) on October 31st celebrated the autumn harvest. Historical accounts describe an occasion characterized by, among other festive goings-on, community fires, gluttonous feasting, and mead-induced merriment. A sort of last fling, perhaps, before the long dark winter set in. Or maybe it was a way folk fortified themselves to face the spooky aspect of Samhain – the breaching of the barrier between the physical and spirit domains, which brought humans into close contact with the beings of the other world. What a party it must have been – ancestors coming back to join in the fun; faeries, elves, and other creatures getting up to all manner of mischief; shape-shifting apparitions floating about; the undead disguising themselves as monsters or animals to trick other beings that were intent on kidnapping the living or stealing their souls. Interwoven with the festival was a rich mythology that told stories of battles, heroes, imps, headless horseback riders, ghouls, and evil denizens of the underworld. For some reason, I suddenly find myself thinking of our upcoming local elections that are being held the day after Halloween. What harvest awaits us? Will we take to drink? But that’s another story.
|
In the meantime, dip into this week’s edition to read about other myths, heartbreak in the suburbs, a sad haunting, harvests in our own land, army hijinks, a stairway to heaven, the stories your face tells, and those a skilled photographer captures.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A staircase to heaven: Drew Lindsay's vision for Troyeville's 15 steps
|
|
|
You need faith to enter Troyeville. I chose a Martin Luther King quote: "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fun in the 60s apartheid army – Part 3
|
|
There were options in the apartheid army. One could become a paratrooper, a pilot or remain in the infantry as cannon-fodder and die.
|
|
|
|
A scary ghost story for Halloween 2021
|
|
|
|
In the spirit of Halloween, a ghost story that, when told to me, sent shivers down my spine and made me ponder the notion of different dimensions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#safreacovershowcase 2: Sam J Basch
|
|
|
|
Author: Helene vd Westhuizen
|
In today's edition of the #safreacovershowcase, Sam J Basch talks about this early-morning shoot, and the urge to share his art.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heartbreak in the Suburbs Part 3 - conflict, converts and compensation - Fiction
|
|
|
|
Heartbreak, conflict, compensation, devastation, destruction, holy incense, zealots, diamonds, arranged marriage, dichotomies, disciples, powermongers, saints, sinners and sinners in suburban Johannesburg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A face tells a story
|
|
|
|
Face profiling reveals a lot about personality. Cosmetic changes will not always change you on the inside.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Só kom elke oes in
|
|
|
|
Graansilo’s, wat soos stille toesighouers oor die platteland waak, fassineer vir Jedrie Harmse sedert sy kinderjare. In sy loopbaan as bedryfsredakteur in die landbou het hy die geleentheid gehad om hierdie betonreuse van nader deur sy kamera te bekyk. ‘Al die aspekte van boerdery, maar veral oestyd, is fassinerend. Met enige akkerboubedryf is dit in hierdie tyd dat ‘n boer sy sukses meet. Om te sien hoe boere hulle mielies na die graansilo’s aanry en al die aktiwiteite daar rondom, verskaf uitstekende fotogeleenthede’, vertel hy. Hierdie artikel en foto’s was in ‘n groot landboumaatskappy se lyfblad, waarvan hy die redakteur was, gepubliseer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
History tells us that tantalising myths are a bargain at 2 a penny
|
|
|
|
The rumour of gold buried by Kruger grew into a myth that in time will become
a legend.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did you receive this email from a friend? Get your own copy by subscribing here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
