,QUESTION 1
1.1 Information poster: Three South African cultural stories about the Moon (20
marks)
THE MOON IN SOUTH AFRICAN CULTURES
Discovering traditional stories, beliefs and the wonders of the night sky
1. The San people: The Moon and the Hare
, Culture: San communities of southern Africa
Language used for the Moon: San communities speak different languages, so there is no
single San word for the Moon. The word depends on the particular San language.
Traditional story: In a well-known southern African story about the Moon and the Hare, the
Moon sends the Hare to tell people that, just as the Moon disappears and returns, people
will also return after death. However, the Hare changes the message and tells people that
they will not return. When the Moon discovers this, it becomes angry and strikes the Hare,
splitting its lip. The story explains why the Hare has a split lip and expresses traditional
ideas about life, death and the Moon (Bleek, 1864).
Lesson for learners: Traditional stories were used to explain things people observed in
nature and to pass beliefs from one generation to another.
2. The Zulu people: The Moon and the Sun
Culture: AmaZulu
Zulu word for the Moon: Inyanga.
1.1 Information poster: Three South African cultural stories about the Moon (20
marks)
THE MOON IN SOUTH AFRICAN CULTURES
Discovering traditional stories, beliefs and the wonders of the night sky
1. The San people: The Moon and the Hare
, Culture: San communities of southern Africa
Language used for the Moon: San communities speak different languages, so there is no
single San word for the Moon. The word depends on the particular San language.
Traditional story: In a well-known southern African story about the Moon and the Hare, the
Moon sends the Hare to tell people that, just as the Moon disappears and returns, people
will also return after death. However, the Hare changes the message and tells people that
they will not return. When the Moon discovers this, it becomes angry and strikes the Hare,
splitting its lip. The story explains why the Hare has a split lip and expresses traditional
ideas about life, death and the Moon (Bleek, 1864).
Lesson for learners: Traditional stories were used to explain things people observed in
nature and to pass beliefs from one generation to another.
2. The Zulu people: The Moon and the Sun
Culture: AmaZulu
Zulu word for the Moon: Inyanga.
