Memorial to the Bulhoek Massacre of May 24 1921, which resulted from a confrontation between the South African Police and the Israelites, followers of the millenarian prophet, Enoch Mgijima.
In an overcrowded 'Native Reserve' some 3000 Israelites had settled on Crown land at what was for them, a sanctified place, to await what Mgijima prophesied was the imminent end of the world. When the prophecy was not fulfilled they continued to stay there, a presence that was an untenable breach of the law for the government. There were many attempts over several years to persuade the Israelites to disperse, but essentially they believed that the word of God took precedence over the law of the land. Neither side would compromise. Believing their prophet, that the bullets of the police would be as water, an army of Israelites equipped with knobkerries, knives, broad-bladed assegais and a few guns met the police, who were armed, not least, with machine guns and artillery. 163 of the Israelites were killed and 129 wounded. One policeman was wounded and one police horse killed.
Bulhoek, Eastern Cape. 17 January 2006
Archival pigment ink digitally printed on cotton rag paper
paper size: 112 x 137.5cm
image size: 99 x 127cm
Edition of 10
paper size: 112 x 137.5cm
image size: 99 x 127cm
Edition of 10
© 2007 Michael Stevenson. All rights reserved.