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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The Ethnography, Archaeology, Rock Art and History of Goats (Capra Hircus) in Southern Africa: An Overview |
Author: | Badenhorst, Shaw |
Year: | 2002 |
Periodical: | Anthropology Southern Africa |
Volume: | 25 |
Issue: | 3-4 |
Pages: | 96-103 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Southern Africa |
Subjects: | Iron Age goats Anthropology and Archaeology Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Architecture and the Arts History and Exploration |
Abstract: | The history, archaeology, ethnography and social status of goats in southern Africa is less well-known than that of cattle. This article provides an overview of the usage and importance of goats as reflected in ethnographical records, as well as an overview of goats in prehistory and the depiction of goats in rock art. Evidence seems to suggest that goats were present at the Cape by the time the Dutch established a supply station in 1652. The question remains: if so, since when? Conclusive archaeological evidence is still lacking. Goat remains from the Early Iron Age are not numerous, but goats seem to have been more numerous and of greater economic importance during the Late Iron Age. Rock art depictions of goats are rare in southern Africa. Of interest is the diversity in the usage and status of goats amongst the different people of the subcontinent. In many instances, this status may be related to environmental conditions. The very fact that most Bantu-speaking people kept goats to some degree during the Iron Age suggests that these animals had some meaning in their societies. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited] |