Homestead of the so-called Strandlopers (San or Khoikhoi) just north of the Orange River’s mouth 1779

This watercolor, depicting a Khoikhoi homestead, was created by Robert Jacob Gordon around the late 18th century. As a military commander for the Dutch East India Company, Gordon was also an amateur ethnographer. The image shows a community beside their simple dwellings. The tools and objects illustrated—bows, spears, woven carrying devices—speak volumes about their way of life and its inherent connection to the land. The craft of the objects contrasts starkly with the intentions of the artist, who was implicated in the processes of colonization and exploitation. It’s interesting to note that the artist depicts the Khoikhoi making or using crafted objects. Though rendered through the lens of a colonizer, the image bears witness to indigenous craft practices. It prompts us to consider the social dynamics, labor and the resourcefulness required for survival within specific cultural contexts.