!Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park: A Cultural and Ecological Treasure

The !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park stands as a remarkable cultural, ecological, and astronomical treasure in the southwestern corner of the Kalahari Desert. As part of the sprawling 3.6 million hectare Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park that spans South Africa and Botswana, !Ae!Hai emerged in 2002 as the result of a momentous land claim awarded to the ‡Khomani San Bushmen and Mier communities.

This historic settlement restored approximately 95,000 hectares to these communities, with nearly 60,000 hectares within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and 35,000 hectares to its south. The name ‘!Ae!Hai’, meaning ‘gemsbok tail’ in N/u (one of the ‡Khomani languages), pays homage to the parks incorporated into the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and to the region’s iconic antelope, the gemsbok or oryx.

The park’s significance has been internationally recognized, with its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site : ‡Khomani Cultural Landscape in 2017 and as a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019. These accolades underscore the park’s importance not only for its cultural heritage but also for its pristine natural environment.

The ‡Khomani San Connection

The !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park holds profound significance for the ‡Khomani San people, covering their ancestral lands and providing a vital space for reclaiming and practising their ancient traditions. This is crucial for educating younger generations about their rich cultural heritage, which dates back over 20,000 years. The San’s genetic origins stretch back more than a million years, representing humanity’s oldest genetic lineage.

The establishment of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in 1931 led to the displacement of San people who had lived in the area for centuries. This displacement resulted in the disintegration of their culture and widespread poverty as they were severed from their land. Until the land claim was filed in 1995, many young ‡Khomani were unaware of their San heritage.

Today, the heritage park plays a vital role in cultural preservation. Initiatives like the Imbewu field school allow ‡Khomani elders to teach youth traditional skills and stories, cultivating and preserving a wealth of indigenous knowledge and strengthening a once-fragmented community.

The Mier Community Connection

The !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park is equally significant for the Mier community, whose roots in the area are deeply intertwined with the land’s history. The Mier people, descendants of a mixed group of settlers, have lived in the Kalahari for generations, developing a unique way of life adapted to the arid environment. Their heritage is characterized by resilience and a strong sense of community, which has enabled them to maintain their cultural identity despite challenges posed by displacement and environmental changes.

Like the ‡Khomani San, the Mier were displaced when the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park was established in 1931. The land claim filed by the Mier in 1995 was a crucial step in reclaiming their heritage and ensuring that future generations could reconnect with their ancestral lands. Today, the park stands as a testament to the Mier’s enduring connection to the land, offering them a connection to the land their forefathers farmed.

Through various initiatives, such as education programs and sustainable land use practices, the Mier community is actively involved in the stewardship of their ancestral lands, ensuring that their way of life is passed on to future generations.

!Xaus Lodge: A Symbol of Collaboration

At the heart of the !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park lies !Xaus Lodge, a tourism facility that offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the vastness of the Kalahari Desert while supporting local communities. The lodge is a product of the historic land settlement agreement between the ‡Khomani San and Mier communities. Situated on a red sand dune overlooking a salt pan and a freshwater waterhole, !Xaus Lodge is more than just a place to stay; it is a symbol of reconciliation and collaboration.

The lodge provides an immersive experience in the heart of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, where guests can participate in guided walks and game drives while learning about the rich cultural heritage of the ‡Khomani San and Mier. The income generated by the lodge is vital for the development and sustainability of these communities, ensuring that they remain active stewards of their ancestral lands.

Park Management and Future

The !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park is co-managed by ‡Khomani and Mier representatives alongside SANParks (South African National Parks). This collaborative approach aims to preserve the Indigenous communities’ traditional knowledge and culture while improving sustainability. By balancing conservation efforts with cultural preservation and sustainable tourism, the park serves as a model for how protected areas can benefit both the environment and local communities.

As the !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park continues to evolve, it remains a beacon of hope for cultural preservation, ecological conservation, and community empowerment. It stands as a testament to the power of reconciliation and the importance of maintaining connections to ancestral lands and traditions in our rapidly changing world.