The Eland People

The Eland People mural is featured on the home of Samantha and family. Painted in 2016 the mural depicts an eland hunt set in the Goukou River valley close to Melkhoutfontein a few thousand years ago. Designed by Bruce Rimell – you can find more about the design here. Unfortunately due to maintenance work to the house the mural has now been painted over. Click through the gallery which explains in more detail different aspects of the mural.

Before

Bruce and Samantha prepping the wall

Work in progress

The completed 'Eland People' mural

'The Eland People' depicting an Eland hunt in the Goukou River Valley a few thousand years ago

The mural starts with a hunter donning an Eland costume and dancing to celebrate the power of the Eland, which both Bushman and Khoekhoen peoples consider to be endowed with great magical potency.

The Eland hunt in progress. The three hunters are directed by a partly-magical female figure on the hillside.

Close up image of the the magical female directing the hunt

The end of mural depicts the Eland falling to its knees exhausted. The hunters kneel and praise the animal, laying down their weapons. This expresses the gratitude the hunters feel for the source of their food. The other eland leaps off in the distance, expressing the promise of meat for another time.

Samantha proudly shows off the complete mural