Spend time at a Shangaan community, situated just outside Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, interacting with the friendly people of Mpumalanga. A Bantu tribal group, the Shangaan are the dominant group in the northeast of South Africa. A local guide will escort you though the village, sharing interesting insights and narratives about Shangaan culture, including its fascinating customs, beliefs and traditions.
During your visit you will be invited into a traditional homestead to witness the daily routine and lifestyle of an authentic Shangaan family, where aeons of tradition intersect with modern life. Learn about the traditional tribal household structure, including the patriarchal duties and matriarchal responsibilities, as well as find out how the local homes are constructed and why cattle are so highly-revered. A taste of a traditional Shangaan dish may also be available upon request.
Depending on your interests, choose to participate in an array of community projects, such as teaching, constructing, playing with the children at the nursery school, planting trees or helping out in the local clinic. Furthermore, gain a first-hand experience of one of the community-led projects Africa Foundation, our long-standing community and conservation development partner is facilitating and supporting. You will also have the incredible opportunity to meet the tribe’s well-respected local leadership.
Your adventure will end at a local craft market. Showcasing an array of locally-made products celebrating Shangaan culture; be sure to leave with a beautiful handicraft to remember your humbling experience with the Shangaan people.
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