Kaffir with Cleft Stick
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Kaffir with Cleft Stick
An African Kaffir letter carrier, carrying a message in a cleft stick Date: 1846
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Media ID 14272259
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1846 Carrier Cleft Courier Kaffir Letter Message Postal Stick
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures a Kaffir letter carrier, identified by his ethnicity, diligently carrying out his duties as a postal courier in South Africa during the mid-19th century. The year is 1846, and the carrier is shown expertly balancing a rolled-up message or document inside a cleft stick, a traditional communication method used in Africa before the advent of paper and envelopes. The cleft stick served as a makeshift container, allowing messages to be securely transported over long distances. The Kaffir people, also known as the Zulu or Xhosa, were an ethnic group residing in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. They played a significant role in the development of indigenous communication systems, with the cleft stick being one of their most important innovations. This method of communication was widely used among African communities for centuries, enabling the swift exchange of information between distant villages and settlements. The letter carrier in this photograph embodies the resilience and resourcefulness of the Kaffir people, who adapted to their environment and created ingenious solutions to meet their communication needs. The image offers a glimpse into the rich history of African communication systems and the vital role they played in connecting communities before the arrival of European postal services. This photograph is an essential addition to any collection focusing on African history, communications, or postal services. Its historical significance and captivating composition make it a valuable resource for scholars, educators, and enthusiasts alike.
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