{"id":507,"date":"2025-12-20T11:40:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T16:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/?p=507"},"modified":"2026-03-17T14:20:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T18:20:11","slug":"field-trip-to-the-karoo-and-richtersveld-regions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/2025\/field-trip-to-the-karoo-and-richtersveld-regions\/","title":{"rendered":"Field trip to the Karoo and Richtersveld regions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Field trip to the Karoo and Richtersveld regions\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>In December 2025, team members Dr. Lee Watkins, Mr. Leonard Boetles Gewers, and Dr. Lyndsey Copeland conducted research in the Karoo region of the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces, followed by the Richtersveld region in the Northern Cape. We travelled first to Vredendal, Vanrhynsdorp, Nieuwoudtville, Loeriesfontein, and Calvinia, and met with and interviewed numerous practitioners of an indigenous Khoe dance style called rieldans. Thereafter, Dr. Watkins and Mr. Gewers travelled northward to Port Nolloth in the Richtersveld to pursue follow-up visits and interviews with Nama musicians there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9331-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9331-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9331-512x384.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9331-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9331-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9331-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9331-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View of a quiver tree and abandoned building on the outskirts of Loeriesfontein, Northern Cape, in the Hantam region of the Karoo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9370-1-1024x1365.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9370-1-1024x1365.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9370-1-512x683.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9370-1-320x427.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9370-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9370-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9370-1-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9370-1-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mr. Boetles Gewers with Ms. Hettie Witbooi and Mr. Gert Witbooi in Loeriesfontein, Northern Cape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9303-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9303-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9303-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9303-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9303-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9303-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9303-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mr. Noag Witbooi and Mr. Boetles Gewers accompany an impromptu rieldans in the courtyard of Mr. Witbooi&#8217;s home in Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9291-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"December fieldwork\" class=\"wp-image-550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9291-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9291-512x384.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9291-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9291-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9291-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9291-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mr. Boetles Gewers performs with Mr. Noag Witbooi during an interview at Mr. Witbooi&#8217;s home in Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9317-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9317-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9317-1-512x384.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9317-1-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9317-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9317-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9317-1-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Lyndsey Copeland, Mr. Noag Witbooi, and Mr. Leonard Gewers at Mr. Witbooi&#8217;s home in Nieuwoudtville.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9243-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9243-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9243-1-512x384.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9243-1-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9243-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9243-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9243-1-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mr. Leonard Boetles Gewers in interview with Ms. Hester Van Wyk and Ms. Anna Assegaai in Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9211-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9211-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9211-512x384.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9211-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9211-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9211-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9211-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mr. Boetles Gewers and Dr. Ian Copeland en route over the treacherous Vanrhyns Pass in Namaqualand that marks the border of the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9498-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9498-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9498-512x384.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9498-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9498-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9498-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9498-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View of the Calvinia town history museum on the main street of Calvinia, Northern Cape, in the Great Karoo region.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9420-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9420-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9420-1-512x384.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9420-1-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9420-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9420-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9420-1-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Lee Watkins in interview with Mr. Boeta Gammie in Calvinia, Northern Cape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9478-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9478-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9478-512x384.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9478-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9478-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9478-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9478-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Lee Watkins and Mr. Eloff Snyman host a braai after a day of field work in Calvinia, Northern Cape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9643-1024x1365.jpeg\" alt=\"Fieldwork December 2025\" class=\"wp-image-515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9643-1024x1365.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9643-512x683.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9643-320x427.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9643-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9643-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9643-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/118\/2026\/03\/IMG_9643-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Team members Dr. Lyndsey Copeland, Mr. Boetles Gewers, and Dr. Lee Watkins in Vredendal, Western Cape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In December 2025, team members Dr. Lee Watkins, Mr. Leonard Boetles Gewers, and Dr. Lyndsey Copeland conducted research in the Karoo region of the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces, followed by the Richtersveld region in the Northern Cape. We travelled first to Vredendal, Vanrhynsdorp, Nieuwoudtville, Loeriesfontein, and Calvinia, and met with and interviewed numerous [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":324,"featured_media":509,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/324"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=507"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":552,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/507\/revisions\/552"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/soundingindigenous\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}