To live in the hearts of those we left behind is not to die
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Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
This paper discusses the issues that are conveyed by settlement lay-out and the meaning
of space at the first mission station in South Africa, Genadendal. A historical archaeology
appwach was used to collect data and analyse the remains building structures, materials
and settlement lay·out that have survived at Genadenda/ in an attempt to make a case for
c1 "Genadendal identity" and explain the cause for its continuity. The paper argues that the
study of architectural structures and settlement /ay·out from an archaeological perspective
can be viewed as an exercise in studying metapho1·s since the functional aspect of architecture
is a result of" conscious reactions to physical needs" at a given time as Gribble (1998) writes.
Such reactions are inevitably and subtly encoded in buildings and use of space. In addition,
the paper demonstratc·s that the inhabitants of Genadendai mission str.ilion developed and
exhibited a "Genadendal identify" through employing unique architectural technique' and
conforming to a set of rules thot the missionories prescribed.
Description
Keywords
Continuity, Conformity, Vernacular, Architecture, Historical, Archaeology
Citation
Gwasira, G. 2012. To live in the hearts of those we left behind is not to die: Continuity and conformity in vernacular architecture at Genadendal Mission Station, South Africa. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 1(2):143-152.