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- Unknown (Creation)
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Name of creator
Name of creator
Biographical history
Background of the Recorder
John Hone found a special interest in photography while still at school. Work in the commercial photography field was hard to find and he became a lithographer, mastering many aspects of the print industry. Photography remained an important part of his life, and in 1974 he was invited to join Art Publishers, a well-known national publishing company. Here the skills gained earlier in life served him well and for over twenty-five years he has been the company's MD, all the while retaining a close personal interest in the quality of the products produced. John's great interest in the Drakensberg started when, as a boy, he spent holidays there with his parents, who enjoyed this splendid region. He readily acknowledges that the Drakensberg, with magnificent landscapes, is responsible for first igniting his interest in photography. John is married to Barbara. They have two children, Gareth and Carryn
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The eland is the largest of southern African antelope and is much desired for its meat and fat. The San say that all other animals are like servants to the eland.
The importance of this animal is shown in the great variety of postures and perspectives. It is depicted running with tail outstretched, with uplifted head smelling the wind, and upside down, presumably dead. The eland is also depicted from the front or from the back, and even from above.
The eland appears in four important San rituals it is the most carefully depicted antelope in both rock paintings and engravings: Trance dance, boy's first kill, girl's puberty and marriage. It is believed that eland fat contains a lot of potency and in a trance dance shamans aspire to possess eland potency.
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Language of material
- English
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Original size: 6 x 6cm