The historical and cultural signifi cance of sacred sites in the Free State province, South Africa

Abstract

Die historiese en kulturele belangrikheid van die heilige terreine in die Vrystaatprovinsie, Suid-Afrika Die artikel beklemtoon die belangrikheid van die heilige terreine in die Vrystaatprovinsie. Dit toon aan dat die toenemende neiging om ekonomiese ontwikkeling in die provinsie te konsentreer, ’n impak op die terreine het deurdat hulle dikwels beskadig word. ’n Bespreking word gegee van heilige terreine soos Motouleng (tussen Fouriesburg en Clarens), Mautse (tussen Rosendal en Ficksburg) en Matsopa (in Modderpoort naby Ladybrand). Ten slotte stel die skrywer voor dat die langtermyn lewensvatbaarheid van die terreine ’n interaktiewe benadering vereis tussen die plaaseienaars waar die terreine gelee is en die mense wat dit besoek. The main focus of this article is to highlight the history and culture of the sacred sites in the Free State Province. The Free State has many such sites, particularly in the eastern part of the province. The most important ones to be discussed in this article are the following: Motouleng (between Fouriesburg and Clarens), Mautse (between Rosendal and Ficksburg) and Mantsopa (at Modderpoort near Ladybrand). The author concludes that the long-term viability of such sites requires an interactive approach from the farm owners where these sites are situated and also from the people visiting the sites.