Cultural EXPERIENCE
SHANGAAN WAY
OF LIFE
THE SHANGANA CULTURAL VILLAGE
IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PROVINCE OF
MPUMALANGA
O
wned by the Mapulana community, the venture has created over 200 jobs in an area
which once had an unemployment rate of 80%. Shangana is
a cluster of traditional villages
midway between the Blyde River Canyon and
the southern Kruger National Park, where residents invite guests to share in the way of life of
the Shangaan people.
The villages are set in the shade of ancient
trees in a reserve of forest and grassland, and
are open every day. An African market village
forms the centre of Shangana, where local
craftspeople make and trade their craft. From
here, trained guides lead guests down to villages on daytime tours, midday tours with lunch,
and a magnificent evening festival at the chief's
kraal.
Marula Market The Marula Market has been
described by many visitors as the most beautiful in Africa. A wide circle of huts looks down
towards the Kruger Park, with trees all around.
It is the central village at Shangana. The market
is a gathering place for the region's craftspeople, offering a variety of traditional handcrafted
art. Many of the artists work at home in nearby
villages and leave their work at the market to
be sold, making Marula an important source of
income for the people of the area.
18
King Shaka of the Zulus, sent
Soshangana (Manukosi) to conquer the
Tsonga people in the area of presentday Mozambique. Soshangana found
a fertile place inhabited by scattered
communities of peace-loving people,
and he decided to make it his home
rather than return to Shaka.