KhoeSan Identity and Language in South Africa: Articulations of Reclamation

Recent years have seen a rise of KhoeSan revivalism in South Africa as identity politics in the country reach fever pitch. Using Stuart Hall’s notion of articulation and his conceptualisation of cultural identity as either essentialist or reproductive, we explore revivalist articulations as they relate to language and culture. Specifically, we focus on attempts by those who claim KhoeSan descent to revive KhoeSan languages, and on the reclamation of Afrikaans as a language immersed in KhoeSan history. Central to the concept of articulation is that of ensemble, cultural forms that can be coupled and uncoupled in multiple ways, albeit constrained by their moment in history. We argue that ensembles offer a richness to revivalist vocalisations that, while at times controversial, merit embracing.