Leliefontein

The pretty, Historic Village of Leliefontein is located in; the Kamiesberg Mountain Range. The turn off the Road, between Kamieskroon and Garies in the Namakwa District Municipality. It is regarded as one of the hidden treasures of the Namaqualand Area, particularly during the Spring Wildflower Season, when the Hills around the Human Settlement, are awash with colour.

It may have been named after the many White Lilies, found in the Area, as well as the natural Spring (literally translated from Afrikaans, Leliefontein means “lily fountain”). LINK IS PROVIDED IN FURTHER READING.

The Village is steeped in Wartime History: During the South African War- (also known as the Anglo-Boer War), it was the site of the devastating 1902: 'Leliefontein Massacre'. From the 1960s until 2016, Leliefontein was a major helicopter Base for the South African Defence Force. Today, it is a quaint tourist spot where you can stay in a traditional 'Matjieshuis'-(reed hut) at 'Leliefontein Lodge'. Here you can experience eating traditional cuisine and witness a Nama Riel Dance. This Dance has its roots in the Khoisan tradition where it originated as a celebratory dance. It became the dance of sheep shearers and farm workers through the 1940's and 1950's. Add to that the beat of 'Boeremusiek'- (Afrikaans folk music) with an emphasis on the tin guitar, or 'ramkie', and violin, to which it is most often performed, and you get a totally original dance, the most outstanding feature of which is its frantic footwork. It’s thought to be one of the oldest indigenous dancing styles in South Africa.

The Nama people call it the: 'Ikhapara', but the ‘riel’ title is probably borrowed from the Scottish "riel", which describes a Scottish Folk Dance. Colonial influence is also evident in the form the dance has taken.

You can also visit National Monuments such as the Methodist Church.

Two Leliefontein Routes are among the four Mountain Bike Routes across the Kamiesberg Mountains that form part of this trail, which is headquartered in Kamieskroon, near Springbok. In Springtime, which is early August to the end of September. Hundreds of Tourists come visit what is colloquially known as: Namaqualand. While in the Area one can check out: a) the scenic Namaqua Caracal 4×4 Trail; b) Caracal Ecoroute; c) visit the Skilpad Wildflower Reserve;d) try out the Mountain Bike Trails in, the Goegap Nature Reserve.)  ALL THE LINKS ARE PROVIDED IN FURTHER READING.

"Immediate attention was drawn to the Bushman Culture in the 1980’s, when a South African Director, Jamie Uys made the Blockbuster Movie- ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’. This was set in the Kalahari Desert, the movie tells the story of a bushman called- 'XiXo', who lives happily with his tribe of San, until one day a coca cola bottle falls from the sky. Convinced it must be a gift from the Gods, Xixo goes out and tries to share it with his people, but unlike anything else, there is only one bottle and the tribe gets into quarrels over it. The elders of his Village tell him to drop the cursed item off the edge of the World, but this journey involves him in hilarious situations with civilization (obviously incapable of reaching the edge of the World)."

LINK PROVIDED IN FURTHER READING, but remember this is the use of Jamie Uys Comedy, which is very: "Tongue and Cheek"-in an ironic, flippant, or insincere way of joking. "SO BE WARNED AND PLEASE, DON'T TAKE OFFENSE!"