One of the most spectacular sights to witness is when the Khoisan perform the dance known as !khapara.
It is a high-energy circular dance with very fast and precise footwork, imitating animals like baboons, ostriches, snakes and meerkat. This dance can have up to 200 people arranged in a circle, each holding a hollowed reed in the hand, some long, some short, some thick, some thin. In the middle, normally the shaman, stands with a long staff and he sings while the others blow into their reeds and dance in a circle, making many beautiful movements with their feet. It is often done around a fire and can last all night long.
There are many reasons for this dance, from celebrating a good hunt to celebrating a joyous occasion. Often during this time the shaman goes into a trance so that he may heal sick people within his tribe. K"au fDau, a blind healer stated once:
“God keeps my eyeballs in a little cloth bag. When he first collected them, he got a little cloth bag and plucked my eyeballs out and put them into the bag and then he tied the eyeballs to his belt and went up to heaven. And now when I dance, on the nights when I dance and the singing rises up, he comes down from heaven swinging the bag with the eyeballs above my head and then he lowers the eyeballs to my eye level, and as the singing gets strong, he puts the eyeballs into my sockets and they stay there and I cure. And then when the women stop singing and separate out, he removes the eyeballs, puts them back in the cloth bag and takes them up to heaven.”
It is also recorded that in some state of trances the Khoisan were able to draw some of the incredible rock paintings that we see today.
Is this all fact or fantasy? To the Khoisan this is all real whilst to the modern world this is all fantasy.
This trail is on the Tsitsikamma Striptease River Trail. The owners of the nearby Lodge which maintain this walk has given full permission for the caches to be placed. Also due to the nature and terrain of this walk it is recommended that minors are accompanied by adults.
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Due to heavy rains or work in the nearby plantation we never know when the trail will be closed so a phone call is always welcomed. You can phone 042 280 3702.
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Anyone hiking must report to reception to sign the permit (which is free) and they must report back after completing the hike.
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It is advisable that hikers must wear suitable shoes as some areas are more difficult.
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You may drink the water from the river as it is safe to drink but it is also recommended that you bring water and refreshments as it is not a short Hike. It can take from a min of 4 Hours of brisk walking without stopping for a swim or looking for the caches.
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With the trail being called the Striptease Trail please be aware that you may encounter nudity on this trail. For those who are brave and daring and want to engage in nude caching please only do so from the start of the trail and not from the lodge.
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Photo logs are more than welcome, clothed or unclothed, but please just remember that this is a family activity so if you are daring to pose unclothed please make sure that all private areas are concealed either by the cache or by the natural surroundings.
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The trail is well marked just follow the blue markings and you won’t get lost.
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Please remember that this is a nature area so no fires, no pets (unless it’s your spouse), and don’t leave anything behind, not even your spouse.
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Please be back by dark as we don’t want to send out a search party for you as they tend to party instead of searching for you.
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Gates and reception open at 7am.