When Gondwana’s founding member Manni Goldbeck came across the book ‘Whispers of Rock’ by earth scientist Dr Anjana Khatwa in a Windhoek bookshop, he knew that he was on to something.
The recently-published book embraces storytelling as a way of explaining geological processes, linking scientific and indigenous ways of knowing.
On further research, Goldbeck, currently the coordinator of Gondwana’s Academy, understood that this method of storytelling would be beneficial in training Gondwana’s nature and travel guides, and for the Gondwana Online Academy.
Gondwana invited Dr Khatwa to Namibia to share her earth-storytelling, geological knowledge and ‘reverence for rock’ with us.
She arrived in mid-August with her husband and two children for a two-and-a-half-week trip with Manni Goldbeck as host and guide.
Several of Namibia’s geological features in southern and central Namibia were included in the itinerary and prime accommodation at Gondwana Collection Namibia’s attractive lodges around the country was reserved, ensuring that she and her family would have a top-notch experience.
A Shift of Perception
It was soon apparent that Dr Khatwa has a deep connection with the rocks that form our home planet.
Their ancient history stems back millennia to when the earth experienced ice ages and cataclysmic transformations from which our mountains emerged and our canyons were carved.
Although often taken for granted, they are still part of this dynamic process today.
Through her eyes and her stories, the Gondwana team was quickly made aware of the geological marvels around them and gained appreciation for the ground under their feet.
The journey began with the team heading southwards to Gondwana’s Kalahari Anib Lodge, where on top of a red Kalahari dune the family had their first taste of the exquisite landscapes and diversity that Namibia has to offer.
Dr Khatwa proved to be a natural at storytelling in front of the camera and the incredible geological rock formations that presented themselves along the way inspired the team to film a series of video clips, more than 20 in total, that will be incorporated into the Gondwana guide-training curriculum.
Ancient Water Ripples and Rain Showers
Along the journey, at the Fish River, a piece of stone with fossilised water ripples was found and its story told.
At the site of the former ‘Mukurob’ rock pillar – aka Finger of God – indentations in rock whispered of a rain shower that had miraculously been recorded in stone to tell its story so many millions of years later.
Namibia’s Fish River Canyon elicited all the awe and wonder which the geological masterpiece rightfully deserves. Late rains had coloured the slopes in green and flowers adorned the usually arid surface, adding to the majestic beauty.
The edge of the canyon was the perfect place for Dr Khatwa to enlighten everyone about its origins and passage through time until the present day.
And walking around the area, Goldbeck and Khatwa were delighted to find, embedded in a rock, fossilised stromatolites – the first life form on the planet.
Awe became a natural part of the day as the stories in rock unfolded. Dr Khatwa’s enthusiasm was catchy.
The group continued down to the Orange River and up to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, where strong winds sandblasted everyone but didn’t deter them from the incredible sights and earth history.
Celebrating Earth
It was nearing the end of the ‘Rock-Whisperer’ trip when, after a long and bumpy day of travelling via Spitzkoppe and Uis, the group arrived at Gondwana’s Damara Mopane Lodge near Khorixas.
An early start the next morning watching the lunar eclipse was followed by a visit to the Twyfelfontein rock engravings and a visit to the Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain and the Petrified Forest, whose rock stories murmured from deep time.
Dr Khatwa heard them and shared their stories. Sunset was spent at the base of Vingerklip (Finger Rock), raising glasses to earth – and celestial – magnificence.
In the final presentation before she boarded the plane, Dr Khatwa addressed the Gondwana Windhoek team and in a matter of an hour changed everyone’s perception of a collection of nondescript rocks on the table into a collection of earthy jewels that demanded respect and reverence.
For Dr Khatwa the trip had been a dream come true, ‘a life goal unlocked’, a chance to finally visit the Namib Desert, images of which she includes in all her talks in the United Kingdom (UK) when she explains how in the Triassic Period 250 million years ago, the UK had been a desert.
For the Gondwana Collection, the journey had been a walk back into deep time, using the present as the key to the past, to discover the infinite life of rock. More than that, and in Dr Khatwa’s words, it was an opportunity to travel back to the moment when a mountain was born and when forces shaped our planet.
Her expertise and storytelling will be an important contribution for the Gondwana Academy, nurturing responsible tourism and sharing the wonders of the natural world of Namibia with our visitors.
