The Side of the Sun at Noon ~ Hazel Crampton

The Side of the Sun at Noon ~ Hazel Crampton

Large thick, soft cover
Very good condition

The Side of the Sun at Noon by Hazel Crampton is a historical exploration that blends investigative narrative with cultural and archaeological inquiry. Set in the mid-17th century, the book traces the Dutch settlers attempts to uncover the truth behind persistent rumours of the Chobonaa mysterious people said to live in stone houses deep in the interior of southern Africa, rich in gold and cattle, with pale skin and long hair. These tales, believed to be linked to the legendary Monomotapa empire, were largely dismissed by historians as fantasy, attributed to the imagination of Eva, a young Khoikhoi interpreter.

Crampton revisits these accounts with fresh eyes, weaving together ancient Arab texts, indigenous oral traditions, colonial records, and modern archaeological findings. Her narrative challenges conventional historical assumptions and invites readers to reconsider the boundaries between myth and reality. The book is both a literal and metaphorical journey into the past, offering a compelling reexamination of South Africas early colonial encounters and the enduring mysteries they left behind.