Spirit of the land : politics, memory, and the sacred in South African land claims

This thesis examines the role of sacred space in people's attachment to land, analysing the ways in which people create sacred space through labour, ritual, myth, and memory. Three case studies explore the human interpretation of the sacred through the history and politics of land acquisition and dispossession. While providing historical background and legal analysis of forced removals, evictions, and relocations, the thesis calls attention to the role of religion in South African land claims. Although the people in these case studies believe that returning to their original land will materially improve their lives, their main concern is to reconnect with their alienated sacred space. This study explores the changing nature of the sacred and its formulative role in shaping and informing peopIe's identities and memories.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Religious Studies

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Stites, Elizabeth Howland

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Chidester, David

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9968

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9968