Avian Nation: a cultural and political history of blue cranes in southern Africa, from the precolonial past to present

The blue crane has been revered as the avian jewel of southern Africa. As most of the global blue crane population (99.9%) finds themselves within South African borders (and an additional 8-12 individuals in Etosha, Namibia), the species has solidified itself as an important member of the avian kingdom. Over the course of 6 000 years, blue cranes have shared their histories with the humans of southern Africa. Through various mediums, historical humans have documented and celebrated blue cranes for their abilities, behaviour, ecology, aesthetics, and symbolism. Yet, blue cranes’ own histories have long been neglected in scholarship. This thesis looks at the blue crane beyond the plume, by showcasing the blue crane as a historical agent and history-maker in its own right. In pursuit of writing birds into African history, this study considers what blue cranes themselves have done to actively shape, influence, change, and inspire human histories. It is being argued here that despite the neglect of blue cranes in historical literature, these birds have played a significant role in shaping gendered imaginaries, social hierarchies, semiotic featherwork, nation-building, statehood, and modern avian conservation in South Africa. By addressing the absence of literature on blue cranes, this study adds to our historical understanding of a national icon. This dissertation considered the entanglements between blue cranes, humans, and the environment, and through the use of the blue crane as a single species case study, critically considered how to write birds into South African history. Drawing from oral tradition, archival material, colonial documentation, sketches/ art, magazines, and oral interviews this dissertation investigated the blue crane’s history on southern African soil and skies from the precolonial past until its contemporary conservational crisis. Given the current crisis faced by the blue crane species, it was concluded that the writing of histories that take birds seriously, deeply matters.

Grantor dc:publisher

Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• De Villiers, Anna Elizabeth

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Swart, Sandra

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135736

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135736