Communication totem

Title: These two praying mantises are from Baviaanskloof. They live in gold resin foreva. It symbolises two people talkin. Kgaggen is the trickster God, portrayed as a praying mantis in the San rock art.

Medium: Kristal UV resin, gold pigment. 

Dimensions: 5x2 cm cabochon strung on 45 cm black string, wrapped in silver wire. 

Date created: 2024 Collection

Notes on bushman folklore: Characters in Bushmen folklore consisted of: Kgaggen: Chief character, with the personality of a trickster. Often depicted as a mantis. Kauru: The dassie. Wife of Kaggen. Cagn: Character that appears in some of the stories. Coti: Wife of Cagn Heiseb: Character that appears in some of the stories. Kwammang-A: Nephew of Kaggen. Seen in the rainbow. Serious personality. Porcupine: Wife of Kwammang-a. Daughter of All-devourer. Adopted daughter of Kaggen. Blue Crane: Elder sister of Kaggen. Mother of Kwammang-a. Ichneumon: Son of Porcupine and Kwammang-a. Grandson of Kaggen. Serious personality just like his father. All-devourer: Father of porcupine but objectionable personality whom she could not live with. Possessor of a huge appetite for both meat and ‘bushes’. Cogaz: Son of Cagn Gzwi: Second son of Cagn. Quancicutshaa: Legendary Bushman “chief”.