Between 28 September - 31 October 2002, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum showed an exhibition of photographs called The First People of the Kalahari, as part of Black History Month.
Black History Month
The Herbert Art Gallery's Black History Month is an annual series of exhibitions and events in collaboration with Coventry Black Experience.
The First People of the Kalahari
| Μύ |  | Diphuduhudu landscape
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This exhibition of photographs by Amanda Gazidis captures the lifestyle and culture of the Red People, also known as Bushmen, from the Kalahari Desert, Botswana.
Amanda spent over two years in Botswana photographing the Red People of Diphuduhudu, a remote Kgalagadi village.
The photographs portray these magical people as they are with simple beauty, rich culture and deeply connected to nature.
Read about Amanda's relationship with the Red People below and see photographs from the exhibition by pressing the images button.
The online gallery
In the gallery there are many photographs that show the red people in a range of activities, like dancing, playing music and bonding.
The pictures show many kinds of dances. Two of these are the praise the earth dance - stamping on a wooden plank by women and children. It is a way of showing thanks to the Earth - and the melon throwing dance - a traditional dance to celebrate finding water where women thrown a melon between them and dance in appreciation.
The pictures also represent the resourceful living environment in Diphuduhudu, with examples like open fire cooking, traditional housing and plates hanging in trees to dry.
The picture of the Diphuduhudu landscape shows the terracotta red sand that leads them to call themselves the Red People.
Amanda describes the process behind the stunning work:
"This exhibition of photographs of the First People of the Kalahari were taken over a two year period. I lived and worked in Botswana from 1999-2001, I visited the Central Kalahari Desert, notably Diphuduhudu village, and witnessed the plight of the Red people (as they call themselves.)
| Μύ |  | Feeding the home fire
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"The project became an exploration of these magical indigenous people within the environment of the harsh Kalahari. These photographs and texts are a testimony to a people facing cultural genocide. This is my way of paying homage to a rich and sacred culture and cosmology.
"Instead of the romantic vision of a people free to roam the desert with traditional hunter-gatherer ways, I discovered a people facing destitution, dependency and living in temporary settlement and plot situations.
| Μύ |  | Girl with artificial flower
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"I also found much joy and beauty in their ways which I have recorded as portraits of young and old alike. The Red People were very open and warm towards me which allowed me to capture these intimate portraits of a wonderful people with traditions and rich diverse culture dating back 20,000 years.
It is a cry to draw our attention to their current situation, which is worsening day by day.
| Μύ |  | Young boy outside Khutse game reserve
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"On my last visit in December 2001 I was shocked by the rate of deterioration of their health and spiritual well-being after just 6 months. I became very attached to some of the characters I encountered on many occasions, particularly those inhabitants of Diphuduhudu in the West Kwaneng region which I have re-visited over the years.
| Μύ |  | Hunter dance
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"Here is a testimony to these people, of their folklore, storyteling, experiences, dance, song, music and harmony with nature as they face destruction and indeed possible extinction.
"Their spirit has made a deep and lasting impression on me and many forever. I hope you will enjoy this photographic journey into the landscape and First People of the Kalahari, indeed of southern Africa and that it will enlighten and give insight into their fascinating culture and cosmology."
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