Current projects
2021-2023
ǂXoake - Praat - Speak
A collection of traditional stories as told by ǂKhomani residents of the Kalahari
This project is led by African Tongue and funded by Worldwide Indigenous Science Network (WISN).
The aim of the project is to collaborate with traditional ǂKhomani storytellers to assist with documenting and sharing these stories to anyone who would like to learn more about their culture. These stories are told in Nama and Afrikaans and cover a variety of themes, from creationist stories to good old comedy.
These stories are currently being transcribed and translated - once complete they will be made available online for free.
It is hoped in the future, that a selection of these stories can be developed into a book or animation in collaboration with local artists for further enjoyment and sharing.
2020-2023
Maguire San Ethnobotanical Collection
Digitisation of Ethnobotanical Collection with a focus on Ju|'hoansi and !Xoo
The aim of this project is to share via open source digital means, an historical collection of San ethnobotanical data. The data was collected between 1954 and 1975 by Mr Brian Maguire and his wife Dr Judy Maguire in close collaboration with Ju|’hoan and !Xoo communities of the Kalahari.
This is a comprehensive collection, meticulously documented in various mediums available at the time (slides, photographs, field-notes, journals, manuscripts and drawings) providing detailed descriptions of plant use by our indigenous first peoples, most especially food plants in water scarce areas.
Free online access to the digitised content so far is available via Stellenbosch University at the following link:
2015-2023
ǂKhomani San | Hugh Brody Collection
Digital curation of the contents of this collection housed at the University of Cape Town
This is an ongoing collaboration between African Tongue, UCT and the ǂKhomani San to digitise and preserve the history of the ǂKhomani San. This includes the development of transcript files in the highly endangered N|uu language as well as Khoekhoegowab and Kora (!Ora).