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- Van Warmelo Collection
Van Warmelo Collection
The van Warmelo Collection, donated to the University after the doctor’s death, comprises 540 manuscripts in 97 boxes, concerning different South African indigenous groups and collected whilst he was in the employment of the Department of Bantu affairs as the State Ethnologist.
These include manuscripts on the Xhosa, Zulu, Swazi, Tsonga, South Sotho (Sesotho, Tswana, North-Sotho (Sepedi) and Venda (Tshivenḓa). Most of these manuscripts were written in the original black language. These manuscripts include detailed information about the history, traditions, way of life, dress, laws, warfare and religion of the groups as well as the traditional life-stages that an individual goes through from birth to death.
Dr van Warmelo collected this information over a period of 30 to 40 years and it forms part of his unpublished legacy, which will be invaluable to future generations of researchers.
The collection also includes a number of photographs, albums, and cultural samples.
This is a collection in progress, please view the Van Warmelo collection (finding aid) for full collection details.
Recent Submissions
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(2007-05-07)The Bakwena thrashing grain-sorghum by thrumping it with donkeys. The central figure is a Trust inmate who was permitted to keep the large land before the Trust took over farm Clermont. In 1944 the amount of grain-sorghum ...
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(2007-05-07)The huts of the inherited wives of kgosi George Maribi Langa. They were inherited from his two brothers.
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(2007-05-07)The Bakwena obtained this farmhouse under the Trust when it purchased the farm. It was built by the owner of Clermont.
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(2006-09-19)Chief Mohlaba joins in the dance which is performed to Zulu songs.
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(2006-09-19)Modjadji walking off to her home. Mununi and the two ladies in waiting follow her.
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(2006-09-11)Modjadji's kraal. Note that all must remove their shoes before entering the kraal.
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(2006-09-11)Crowd at opening ceremony at Modjadji's school.
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(2006-09-11)Modjadji sitting down and Mrs. Reuter, wife of the head missionary, is standing.
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(2006-09-11)
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(2006-08-10)Venda boys going to the district surgeon at Sibasa before being allowed to enter circumcision school. Older boys in front. Mothers of boys follow with food.
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(2006-08-08)Scene in chief Maphaphuli's kraal at Sibasa.
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(2006-08-08)Picture of Sibasa's natural environment
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(2006-08-07)Initiation of Venda girls at chief Rasengane's kraal near Sibasa. The photos portray the snake dance. Animal skin is stretched on the drums.