About Karretjie Mense of The Karoo
The small historical town of Colesberg, on the N1 midway between Cape Town and Johannesburg, is where a series of tin shacks line the edge of a few public roads. These rudimentary homes are not part of the usual shanty town that lies outside every little town across South Africa. Instead, they are the homes of what remains of a nomadic people known as the Karretjie Mense (cart people) of the Karoo (their label for themselves).
Did you know? It's only recently that anthropologists have identified the Karretjie Mense as a distinct itinerant population group, closest in nature to groups like the Irish travellers, or gypsies of Europe.
The Karretjie Mense are direct descendants of the San and Khoe people of the Great Karoo. Theirs is an interesting story, originating roughly four generations ago, when a group of them, working on farms and living in small settlements in the Karoo hinterland, decided to return to the nomadic way of life, using donkey carts to get around.
They made ends meet by offering their seasonal sheep shearing and fence-fixing skills to farmers, who hired them as they needed them. Roughly 1 000 karretjie units operated during the early 1990s as people moved from farm to farm across the Great Karoo, their families growing up on the road.
Visits to towns were intermittent and brief, and then only to stock up on basic supplies. Firewood came from the veld, water from farm reservoirs, and meat from small carnivores like the caracal, or rooikat.
Recently farmers have begun using organised shearing teams, their electrified tools allowing them to shear sheep faster. As a result an already marginalised and poor group of people have become the poorest of the poor.
It's only recently that anthropologists have identified the Karretjie Mense as a distinct itinerant population group, closest in nature to groups like the Irish travellers, or gypsies of Europe.
Anthropologist and professor at UNISA, Mike de Jongh, has been studying them for years. His book Roots and Routes: Karretjie People of the Great Karoo helped shape Timothy Gabb's recent documentary film, MOVE: The Lost Carts of the Karoo.
Need to Know
WhereKarretjie Mense of The Karoo, Colesberg, Upper Karoo, Northern Cape, South Africa
WhenDaylight hours.
OvernightStay in Colesberg Accommodation, Northern Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inIn the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Colesberg
Spes Bona Guesthouse
Located in the Upper Karoo town of Colesberg, Spes Bona has been in operation and welcoming guests for the last 15 years. Spes Bona Guesthouse ha...
Crane Cottage Guesthouse
Situated in the Upper Karoo town of Colesberg, Crane Cottage offers both self catering and bed and breakfast accommodation. Offering large en-sui...
Tzamenkomst River Lodge
Tzamenkomst River Lodge is a highly desirable premium hospitality destination that offers restful accommodation in spectacular surroundings. The ...
The Lighthouse Guesthouse
The Lighthouse 'Regional Finalist in the 2012 AA Quality Assured Accommodation Awards' offers you, luxury, reasonably priced overnight accommodat...
Kuilfontein Stables and Paddocks
The delightful old stable block has been converted into comfortable accommodation, decorated in French Provencal style. Charm, history and conven...
Ebenezer Guesthouse
Ebenezer Guesthouse offers accommodation in Colesburg and is the perfect stopover half-way between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Located 700m from ...
De Vuur Guesthouse
Situated in Colesberg, De Vuur Guesthouse offers room only accommodation. The guesthouse has three rustic-styled rooms, each of which is equipped...
La Vida Guest House
La Vida Guest House offers comfortable guest accommodation in Colesberg. The guest house is an ideal spot for an overnight stopover for business ...
Traveller's Joy
Traveller's Joy offers comfortable accommodation in Colesberg. From here you are within walking distance of a number of restaurants and cafes. Al...
19 On D'Urban Row
Located in Colesberg, a popular stopover town for those travelling between the major cities of Joburg and Cape Town, this holiday home offers a p...
Die Kleipot Guesthouse
Located in Colesberg, Die Kleipot is a friendly guesthouse ideally situated between Johannesburg and Cape Town on the N1 highway. The guesthouse ...
The Barracks
The comfortable and spacious double rooms all have private access, have their own bathrooms (each with a bath and separate shower) and private pa...
Chargo Boutique Lodge
Chargo Game Reserve and Lodge is a property with high hospitality standards that will leave you with a mesmerising experience, our home cooked me...
Colesview Guest House
Situated in the town of Colesberg, an oasis in the Karoo, Colesview Guest House is conveniently located in the upper part of town, just one kilom...
Wolwefontein Lodge
Wolwefontein Lodge is a spacious, four bedroom guesthouse on the farm Wolwefontein, situated 30km outside Colesberg on the N9 between Colesberg a...
Big Sky Ranch
Big Sky Ranch Guesthouse in Kokstad is located on a thoroughbred racehorse stud farm in Colesberg. The guesthouse offers bed and breakfast accomm...
Horse and Mill Guesthouse
The Horse and Mill is a perfect stop-over between Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban. It is situated in the centre of Colesberg, ...
Honeylocust
Honeylocust offersmodern, luxury accommodation in the historic town of Colesberg in the Upper-Karoo. Perfectly situated just off the N1 highway, ...
Things to do in the area
Explore the Doornkloof Reserve
On the south-eastern banks of the Vanderkloof Dam, the 9 388 hectare Doornkloof Nature Reserve is home to kudu, eland, brown hyena, mountain Reed...
Colesberg-Kemper Museum
The charm-filled Colesberg-Kemper Museum celebrates this small town in the Northern Cape Province by effectively combining its historical import ...
Horse & Mill Pub & Restaurant
The Horse and Mill English style Pub and Restaurant is a beautifully restored Coach House with a real Horse Mill inside. It was built in 1840. Th...
Bordeaux Coffee Shop & Restaurant
Bordeaux Coffee Shop & Restaurant in Colesberg offers an authentic Karoo lifestyle and gastronomic experience. The Restaurant occupies the spacio...
Sea Cow River Restaurant
Set amongst the haunting beauty of the Karoo, the folk over at Sea Cow River Restaurant at New Holme Karoo Guestfarm certainly know how to dazzle...
Walking Tour of Colesberg
Do a walking tour of Colesberg and learn about the history of this delightful Karoo town. Many of Colesberg's original buildings are fine example...
Die Kleipot Restaurant
With home grown veggies and fresh local produce, Die Kleipot has a winning combination for and exciting and varied menu. There are often specials...
Transkaroo Hiking Trail
Start: farm near the village of Noupoort, 40 km from Colesberg Finish: back at the farm; the hike is circularDuration: 3 days, 42 kmFitness: mode...
Accommodation convenient to Karretjie Mense of The Karoo
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Northern Cape Accommodation / Upper Karoo Accommodation / Colesberg Accommodation