volkspele, plural noun

/ˈfɔlkspɪələ/
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, volk folk, people + spele games, play.
Afrikaans folk-dances, created during the 1930s but usually performed in traditional Voortrekker dress; see quotations 1973 and 1986. Also attributive.
1949 Cape Times 24 Sept. 9There would be volkspele demonstrations, recitations and singing.
1953 Cape Times 21 Mar. 3These [South African recipes] are destined for Holland, where they will be needed to prepare braaivleis and sasaties when the South African volkspele team visits Culemborg and holds a braaivleisaand there.
1960 C. Hooper Brief Authority 382As long as volkspele and rugby offer escape and God defends the white.
1973 J. Bouws in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. VIII. 9The revival of folk-dancing under the name of ‘volkspele’ began at Boshof under S. Henri Pellissier, modelled upon the Swedish folk-dances. The adoption of definite rules for the execution of movements and steps and of special garb to be worn ensured uniformity at mass displays on the occasion of national festivals.., but departed from the unpretentious 19th-century traditional folk-dances.
1986 P. Le Roux in Burman & Reynolds Growing Up 190Probably the most artificial cultural creation ever to see the light of day was volkspele (folk dances). Gustav Preller selected the less erotic movements from European folk dances, coordinated these with Afrikaans songs, and hey presto — we had our own folk dances!
1990 Sunday Times 3 June 4They were too busy eating, discussing the volkspele, toutrek and SAP helicopter displays and buying Janita Claasen posters.
Afrikaans folk-dances, created during the 1930s but usually performed in traditional Voortrekker dress; see quotations 1973 and 1986. Also attributive.
Derivatives:
Hence volkspeler  noun, one who performs volkspele.
1953 Cape Times 17 Apr. 9The group of volkspelers will sail on an oversea tour in to-day’s mailship.
1974 S. Afr. Panorama Nov. 19The National Council for Folk Singing and Dancing chose 36 ‘volkspelers’ (folk dancers) from different ‘laers’ (laagers) to accompany the overseas dancers and perform with them.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

19491990

Derivatives

volkspeler

Browse Related Words

By Category

Music and Performing Arts
Traditional Afrikaner Sport and Leisure

By Origin

Afrikaans
volkslied, nounn.Volksraad, nounn.
Copyright © 2023 Dictionary Unit for South African English.