Encapsulates South Africa - inclusive, balanced, packed with information on the diverse peoples of South Africa South Africa can be considered the newest of African nations, with the ending of Apartheid in 1994. It is one of the most ethnically, culturally, and linguistically varied countries on the continent, and is the economic powerhouse of southern Africa. This inclusive overview is a must-have for all readers wanting an introduction to South Africa today, in an historical context that pulls the strands of all South Africans, from Zulu to Afrikaner to Indian, together. Some highlights from the many topics covered are oral history, multi-religious traditions, wood sculpture, communal ties, cone-on-cylinder housing, changing roles of women, conjugal arrangements, and British and Boer influences. This timely work expands our knowledge of South Africa beyond the headlines. While the European angle - the story behind the Boers, the Afrikaners, and Apartheid - is made clear, the African angle is the strongest, with balanced insights into various traditions and ways of life. A chronology, glossary, photos, and map complement the narrative. Part of the Culture and Customs of Africa series The diversity of South Africa encapsulated in one volume