Doctoral Degrees (Sociology and Social Anthropology)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Sociology and Social Anthropology) by Author "De Kock, Cornelia Jacoba"

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    Die wereld van Con de Villiers : 'n kultuurhistoriese oorsig
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1994) De Kock, Cornelia Jacoba; Grobbelaar, P. W.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This culture-historical study focuses on Cornelius Gerhardus Stephanus de Villiers (1894-1978), or, as he was generally known, Dr. Con. Moreover, with the help of his narratives and rural sketches on the Overberg, where he grew up, Afrikaans culture there dunng the first half of the twentieth century is portrayed. In Chapter One Dr. Con's biographical details are given. It was already clear during his years at school that 1,e was an intelligent child. After completing his studies at the University of Stellenbosch and obtaining a doctor's degree in Zoology at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, he occupied the Chair of Zoology at the University of Stellenbosch for thirty seven years with great distinction. He became a legendary figure in Stellenbosch. In Chapter Two his contribution in various walks of life is emphasised in genealogy, music (as music educator and recorder, arranger or translator of folk songs), theatre (as director and translator of plays), literature (as writer and translator) and science (as internationally acknowledged zoologist). In Chapter Three it is pointed out how gifted he was. He was exceptionally versatile - a renaissance man who could speak six languages and had a natural talent for science and the arts. Chapter Four features Dr. Con as a person: his personal relationships, interests, peculiarities, characteristics, Afrikaner character and his attitude toward life. Chapter Five sheds light upon the material culture of the Overberg: house-building, the internal appointment of the house, furniture, bed-linen, crockery and cutlery, as well as the daily activities of the woman and the man on the farm, and the food which was usually eaten. In Chapters Six to Ten the spiritual culture of the region is portrayed; the local vernacular, folk beliefs and folk medicine in the Over!)erg. The customs regarding engagement and marriage, death and burial are briefly pointed out. Typical Overberg entertainment and pastimes are explained. Chapter Eleven looks at the people of the Overberg. The attempt was to find out whether the people of the Overberg differ in essence from the Afrikaner in other parts of South Africa. The aristocracy, religious sense, moral norms and habits, close family ties and hospitality of the people of the Overberg are highlighted. The good relationship between the Jewish hawkers and the farmers, and between the farmers and their farm workers is emphasised. Con the Villiers was a very 1mportar,t man who had his roots in the Overberg; he had exceptional talents and made a valuable contribution in committing the culture of the Overberg to paper.