Northern Province (Limpopo) - South Africa
Northern Province of South Africa is sandwiched between Gauteng
Province and neighboring Botswana
and Zimbabwe. The
Northern Province is characterized by a variety of terrains and an eclectic
mix of peoples. Despite being South Africa's poorest province, it is one of
the country's most productive agricultural areas. Although it attracts fewer
tourists than other areas, the Northern Province boasts both natural beauty
and a rich history. Controversy over recently proposed legislation to change
the province's name to Limpopo
has shown that age-old tensions are still very real. All visitors should know
that names in the Northern Province can change faster than Winnie Mandela's
mood ring.
Perhaps
one commonality among the people of the Northern Province is their love of the
land. The dusty flat bushveld in the west rises into soft rolling mountains
to the north, falling again into harsh dry bush punctuated with scattered baobab
trees, while soft savannah grass blankets the lowveld in the far east. Farther
south, the Letaba District swells with sub-tropical hills, valleys, and the
rocky outcrops of the Klein Drakensberg. This attractive, varied landscape guarantees
adventure for those willing to travel off the beaten track. Visitors to the
province will bask in an unprecedented feeling of freedom while enjoying the
many outdoor pursuits of the area, including isolated camping in the bushveld,
vigorous hiking along the secluded trails of the Drakensberg, enticing climbs
up the waterfalls of the Magoebaskloof
Pass, and trekking with game in the salt pans.
Northern Province Links
The Venda People of the Northern
Province
The Venda, who inhabit the eastern part of the Soutpansberg
in the Northern Province, are believed to be descended from chiefs who traveled
south from Central Africa toward the end of the 17th century.
Intensely
superstitious, the Venda
place great store on rites and rituals. In the python dance, bare-breasted teenage
girls perform a slow, rhythmic dance to the throb of tribal drums.
The drum is central to traditional Venda religious belief.
The North Sotho People of the Northern Province
Scattered throughout the Northern Province, most North Sotho people live in
small settlements with family homesteads clustered around their cattle
kraals.
A member of the North Sotho tribe, the legendary Rain Queen,
Modjadji, was the most famous rain-maker on the subcontinent, believed by
many to be immortal.
The Tsonga People of the Northern
Province
The origins of the Tsonga people are obscure, but today, small numbers
inhabit the Northern Province.
In rural areas, life follows a leisurely pace, with plenty
of time to spend on arts and crafts. Unlike other tribal people, the Tsonga are keen fishermen.
Accommodation in Northern Province
- Amakhulu Central Reservations
Merl offers
a very friendly and professional service to book accommodation
in South Africa. She specializes in accommodation in the Northern Province.
- Accommodation
in Northern Province
This website is the best I have yet come across for accommodation in South
Africa. You communicate directly with the accommodation establishment and
the entire booking is carried out online.
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