Genadendal
All photographs displayed here of The Genadendal Mission Museum, some of its internal displays, Genadendal buildings, and the surrounding area were taken by me, the author/photographer, during my visit on 30 Dec 2013. Genadendal is included as a part of my continuing project to both record and make available images of little-known museums I’ve had the opportunity to visit. Additional information was gleamed from several websites linked below.
Genadendal History
The Genadendal Mission Museum
Be transported back in time and get a glimpse of what life was like hundreds of years ago. The museum is located on the site of the original mission station and consists of various buildings that were used since the mission was established. The buildings were declared a National Monument in 1980 and contain exhibits telling the story of Genadendal.
The Khoikhoi
The word “Khoisan” is the collective name given to describe two separate indigenous groups of the South Western regions of Africa, namely the Khoi (aka Khoe) who were herders and the San who were hunter-gatherers. The Khoikhoi (aka Khoekhoe) were scattered throughout the region into various tribes, each led by a traditional chief.
The Genadendal Mission Station
The Genadendal Mission Station was initially established on 23 April 1738 when Georg Schmidt, a Moravian Church missionary, together with a small group of Khoikhoi, set up the first mission station at what was then called Baviaanskloof (Valley of Baboons).
