Negotiating identity in indigenous space: rediscovering the Koranna tribe through temporal spatial dialogues between modernity and traditionality: a center for cultural discovery, Karannaberg, Free State, South Africa

Abstract

In the heart of the Korannaberg region in the Eastern Free State, South Africa, lies the last known 'home' of the Koranna, a long-lost tribe of Southern Africa. This spatial setting becomes the canvas for an ambitious architectural intervention aimed at reviving their fading culture - the establishment of a culturally responsive and sustainable research centre. The overarching argument of this thesis is supported by theories of critical regionalism and spatial-temporal tactics to design a place of remembrance for the Koranna tribe, a haven where their rich heritage can be both studied and taught. Despite the scarcity of surviving remnants, the proposed intervention aspires to evoke the essence of their ways of living, rituals, and stories. The re-search question guiding this exertion is: How can the imprints of memory within the Korannaberg region be harnessed to inform the architectural design of a culturally immersive and research-driven institution, capable of reimagining the essence and preserving the endangered legacy of the Koranna tribe? The goal is to breathe life into their forgotten history, crafting an institution that becomes a powerful beacon of cultural preservation and understanding