Sounds of the soil

by Gabriella Bartlett (South Africa)

Making a local connection South Africa

I returned to a land where I have never been, this land birthed my entire existence, my parents, language beliefs, everything that makes me, hence the return. The breeze filled with the waters of the ocean blow across my face, as I stepped out of the old tired looking rusty bus, I had to endure and enjoy for the last seven hours, frankly speaking I did not mind the old bus, the road trip was worth it, all the scenery to be captured made it timeless. My trip from Johannesburg to Kwazulu Natal was seven long hours, driving through the most beautiful landmarks in the world, breath-taking hills mountains and every now and then a little boy or girl running after the bus with the brightest smile and a little shy wave. The road trip went from a rusty old tired bus to a well-kept family car, a lovely middle aged gentle man took me from bus station to the resort, a local to the area for more than 30 years, he had so many tales to tell, you could hear the pride in his voice, Zulu people native to KwaZulu Natal are extremely proud people, I looked out the window of the back seat where I sat, nodding away to everything he said, while deep in thoughts and anticipation of what the experience will be, the very short 30 minutes trip went through the buzz of city town into a very peaceful green resort, I knew from a distance when the sounds of the town started to remain afar, we were getting close to a perfect stillness and silence that I appreciate. Finally, I got to the Ingeli Forest, a beautiful gem covered by mountains all round, in the center was a guest house, horses, a pool and up to date decor contrary to the nature that surrounded us. This trip would prove to be very musically inspiring, besides how else do Africans express whether sadness or happiness other than through music. The Ingeli forests' ideal location for nature lovers and peace seekers, makes it easy to enjoy your stay, the mountains touching the sky and birds in close reach, all to hard to imagine and very real when at the Ingeli forests. My very first night in the mountains of Ingeli forest was nothing short of what I expected, a group of young Zulu men and women dressed in full Zulu traditional attire which is made of Leopard skins covering only the lower body, and a necklace made from a million beads of different sizes exploding with color, flowing from the neck to the bare breasts of the females, graced the night with the purest sounds I have ever heard, the melodies came from their hearts, it was just a voice full of soul and passion that made these sounds a perfect lullaby, I have heard of these sounds and songs but being in the presence of everything felt like a perfect local connection that my soul needed badly and had longing for.