Abstract:
The assumption among Europeans that the Khoikhoi indigenous people of southern Africa
had little to no religious beliefs is evident throughout historical documents. However, if the
Khoikhoi were regarded as having any religious beliefs, it was assumed that the moon or sun
were objects of worship in the society. Contrary to this incorrect interpretation, this article
uncovers the interrelatedness between these two celestial objects and the Supreme Being of the
Khoikhoi, Tsũi-||goab, through systematic inquiry. This systematic inquiry seeks to: (1)
investigate the interrelatedness between the Supreme Being and the celestial objects, (2) clarify
the origins of the assumptions made and (3) explain coherently why and how these assumptions
were perpetuated.
CONTRIBUTION: The authors argue that premature conclusions made by outsiders led to there
being no need for investigating the religious beliefs of the Khoikhoi society because it was
assumed there were none or that they were superficially bound and/or limited to celestial
bodies.
