Reburial of Khoe remains in Kinderlê
On Monday 23 March 2026, the remains of 63 Khoe people previously held by the Hunterian Museum, Scotland, were reburied according to Khoe traditional customs in Kinderlê, Northern Cape. The remains of the Khoe ancestors were previously repatriated to South Africa in October 2025 in the care of the IZIKO Museum, Cape Town, Western Cape.
On Friday 20 March and Saturday 21 March 2026, the IZIKO Museum together with Northern Cape Traditional Leaders, community elders and members, and researchers hosted a coffining ceremony and human rights day ceremony. Rituals performed included a Cape Khoi night vigil and cleansing ceremony with khoigoed/boegoe water; the preparation of coffins, ceremonial textiles, and ritual items (lappies komberse); Christians prayers and scripture readings; cultural performances; coffining ceremony; and passage cleansing.
On Sunday 22 March the remains travelled from Cape Town to Kinderlê (Steinkopf) for reburial at Kinderlê Monument on Monday 23 March. The day’s reburial ceremony featured speeches by the Mayor of Namakwa District Municipality; the Premier of the Western Cape; the Premier of the Northern Cape; the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture; and the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. Ceremonial rituals included musical performances, candle lighting, scripture reading, sermon, Kalahari San dance, and community-led soil placing on the coffins.
Project member Mr. James Mapanka served as the Task Leader for the planning committee of the reburial ceremony, and represented the Northern Cape Traditional Leadership during the days-long ceremony. Project members Dr. Sharon Gabie and Mr. Boetles Gewers attended the reburial in their capacity as researchers.
Photos courtesy of Mr. James Mapanka.