Home » Happy Birthday to the New Leader of the Southern Kalahari Bushmen

Happy Birthday to the New Leader of the Southern Kalahari Bushmen

New leader of the Southern Kalahari Bushmen, #Xuu N!ai Petrus, turned 73 today. #Xuu N!ai Petrus was elected leader of the Southern Kalahari Bushmen – aka #Khomani San – on 30 September 2017, taking over the reign from the late Leader Dawid Kruiper who died in 2012. #Xuu N!ai Petrus was instrumental in the successful land […]

By SAPeople
05-11-17 01:02
in Fab South African Stuff

New leader of the Southern Kalahari Bushmen, #Xuu N!ai Petrus, turned 73 today.

Photo by the Leader’s son Ivan Vaalbooi

#Xuu N!ai Petrus was elected leader of the Southern Kalahari Bushmen – aka #Khomani San – on 30 September 2017, taking over the reign from the late Leader Dawid Kruiper who died in 2012.

#Xuu N!ai Petrus was instrumental in the successful land claim of the #Khomani San; and was also responsible for the resurfacing of the N/uu (Bushman) language after it was declared extinct in 1974.

During 1996 he arranged a meeting with his then 101-year-old mother, Ouma Elsie Vaalbooi, and researchers. His mother revealed that she could still speak the old Bushman language and was tested and verified by Prof Anthony Traill. That encounter sparked the rebirth of the N/uu language.

Photo supplied by Dervernon David van Wyk: “The new Leader of the Southern Kalahari Bushmen aka # Khomani San. Long live #Xuu N!ai Petrus !Uuxe Vaalbooi, long live!!!”

Standing besides him in the photo above is #Xuu Katrina Esau, one of the last four fluent speakers of the N/uu language, relative Dervernon David Van Wyk told SAPeople.

Today, Dervernon sent a special message to the new leader, saying: “The moon is in full splendour on your 73rd birthday, also marking your first birthday as new Leader of Saake. May Su//oa grant you good health and many more years. May the spirits of our ancestors be with you and guide you. Happy birthday #Xuu N!ai Petrus !Uuxe Vaalbooi.”