Why did you choose the name "TerraPi" for your camp?
S: Saskia and I played around with names for quite some time before this one came along. It is a mix of languages and Terra (earth) and Pi (supposed to be Phi) bit then you get all kinds of pronunciations. The name has its power in its meaning. Therapy, both for the earth and man. Healing, to receive counselling or undergo treatment. The capital T and P in the word also identifies tipis. Earth is our home and we were hoping that Terra – earth and Pi read in conjunction with terra would indicate tipi – dwelling and so become known as ‘earth is home’. It rolls off the tongue and has the abovementioned advantages for us. It was also what this particular place wanted to be called because we had to change a devastated post wattle area into a campsite and it felt like the earth was both receiving and giving therapy. In south Africa we Africans also have a great sense of humour and a strange accent and when you say I’m going to TerraPi it sounds like you going to a place like the AA or something and is funny and catchy. Anyway. There is not much more in it I think and we like to see it as a new word encompassing all of the above.
Why do you have North American tipis, instead of traditional African dwellings?
S: When I decided that people should get close to nature I thought of the four elements. Earth, Fire, Wind Water. They were my companions from small and they connected me through being aware and respectful of them. I wanted people to come from the cities and experience the elements and relearn old ways. They were also the ways of the native elders of our country South Africa, but they were better documented by the Red Indians of North America. A tipi gives you the opportunity to be as close as you can get to the four elements. When it rains the water pattering on the canvas makes you aware of what is going on outside. You are not removed as you might be in a house or thatch hut. There is 2mm between you and what goes on outside. When the wind blows, the poles in the tipi creak and rub against each other along the top. The smoke flap allows you to see the stars and draws out the smoke from the fire you are next to. The rocks that circle the firepit inside the tipi indicate earth, and you sleep on the ground. You get the picture. It represents reconnection with nature and relearning the ways of the wild and the speech of the animals and the rocks and the trees, native style. Native Americans have started telling humanity about living symbiotically with nature for many years now and they are probably the most strongly recognised voice calling us back from the materialism of the present world.
S: There is also something unique about sleeping in a tipi that draws kids. The family unit is the strongest bond in community life, and that is the unit I would like to reach.
S: Tipis are mobile and can be moved. They are low impact, all weather, they smell nice, and are just the right size. So now we have a camp we can move at any time should we wish to do so.
S: In South Africa we have a past of tribal war. White on black, black on black, black on brown. Tipis are neutral, which is good for South Africans. Ultimately these are the people that will make up most of our guests and participants. If volunteers arrive for environmental rehabilitation projects I’ll build them cob houses that are more permanent. They will love that because they are African. Tipis are reconnection tools as well as dwellings in my view. Huts are accommodation. And that is also great, but different.