Sisters Tereska Muishond and Laverne Da Silva form !Bushwomen, a
name that resonates with their deep pride in inheriting the wisdom and
spirituality of the indigenous people of South Africa - the Khoi, San
and the Bushmen. Their poetry is interpreted through word, song and
movement. Both are fluent in the language of dance and their musical
repertoire ranges from classical to jazz, R&B to Hip-Hop. They see
themselves as cultural activists who promote the empowerment of women
and people of mixed race.
My mother speaks a wondrous tongue My sister, though, speaks a foreign tongue My beloved grandmother talks to me from her grave See I too speak an alien tongue Ashamed to speak my own Ag here Ma!
Its intonations and expressions I suckled from her breast
My father speaks the tongue of a proud Griqua man
Rich with wisdom and serenity but neither xi nor xe
Beautiful to hear
Its sovereignty bragging in my ear
She whispers softly, lovingly, tenderly
In a familiar tongue that makes me feel safe
I fear her words will soon reach me incoherently
Beautiful to hear
Its sovereignty brag, brag, bragging in my ear
Afraid to make myself known
Despite feeling disjointed
Alone
Ek word somtyds so moeg
Heeldag moet ek vissies spoeg
But just like the bible you held close to your heart
From Afrikaans I will never part!