Eric Davalala – the only whale crier in the world! (by Janet-Lynn Vorster)
Hermanus is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world.
Hermanus is one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. The best time for whale watching is between June and November. The last three months tend to be the best. Southern Right whales migrate from the Antarctic to give birth to their calves, and to mate again. Eric is apparently the only whale crier in the world. Here’s his story as told by our Cape Town reporter, Janet-Lynn Vorster.
By Janet-Lynn Vorster, Cape Town, South Africa.
Eric Davalala, the Hermanus whale crier.
Eric was born on 27 August, 1989, in Willowvale (known as Gatyane in Xhosa) in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This is close to where Nelson Mandela grew up. Eric speaks Xhosa, English, Afrikaans and Zulu.
Interviewing him, with his confidence and love of telling stories, was an intriguing and pleasant experience over breakfast.
Through personal circumstances, Eric came to Hermanus to complete his schooling at Qhayiya Senior Secondary School. He left school before completing his final year in order to work to earn money to attend his “becoming a man” ceremony, which is apparently quite costly.
Traditional circumcision and initiation into manhood, is an ancient initiation rite practiced by the amaXhosa. The ritual is traditionally intended as a teaching institution, to prepare young males for the responsibilities of manhood. A male who has not undergone initiation is referred to as a boy, regardless of his age, and is not allowed to take part in male activities such as tribal meetings.
Whale watchers in action near Hermanus.
Eric began working as a parking attendant. In June 2011, he came across an ad in the local paper for a new whale crier. He did not have the necessary academic qualifications, was not born in Hermanus, and did not know much about nature – all prerequisites for the position. Being very involved with his church where he is both Choir Master and Poet, he went to speak to his priest, who told him to pray, and go to the interview the following day. He did.
On 4 July 2011, Eric became the 5th whale crier of Hermanus!
Hermanus has the best whale viewing in the world! Whale season is from the end of May till the end of November annually, depending on climate changes, which affect the whales. Eric works from 9 to 5 daily in whale season, walking many kilometres during this time.
A breaching whale, Hermanus.
Eric carries a horn. This is traditionally blown to get the attention of people. While some think he calls the whales with this horn, this is not true. The blowing of the horn merely informs people that whales are in the bay.
Right up to the whale crier prior to Eric, the whale crier carried a largish sandwich board with codes. The codes were described in the local tourist information book, and each code was linked to a different signal blown on the horn, indicating where the whales could be seen. Eric decided that this system only worked for people who knew what these codes meant, and changed the system. Eric carries a smaller board now and blows the horn to announce his whereabouts and the presence of whales in the bay, and encourages people to approach him for information regarding both the whales and their whereabouts.
Eric has a role model, and lights up when he tells me about him. His name is Zolani Mkiva, known as Poet of Africa.
Zolani is an Imbongi, whose role in African society involves articulating the feelings of the community, and encapsulating these sentiments in concise poetic phrases. Not only does Imbongi praise, but also ponders or offers criticism. Zolani became known in 1990 when, still a schoolboy, he was called upon to salute with a red hot rendition the recently released (from prison) Nelson Mandela at his Welcome Home Rally in Transkei.
Eric would like to finish his schooling so that he can study further and follow in the footsteps of his hero, who he has not yet had the privilege to meet in person. However, a minor setback regarding the school he attended not being able to find record of his last report, has delayed the process.
I was intrigued as Eric explained to me the difference between the Southern Right Whale and two other whale species found in the bay, why the whales breach (to get rid of tiny crustaceans called whale lice and the accompanying itch) and the seagulls that swoop down to eat the lice. He explained that when whales have calves they don’t breach, as it takes too much energy, needed to produce milk and squeeze it out for the calves. Then they dive down to the kelp or sandy sea bed to scratch themselves.
When you visit Hermanus, look for Eric and go and have a chat with him!
Related Links:
Hermanus Boutique Guest House
Burgundy Restaurant, Hermanus
Village Life, Hermanus
This article appears in the July 2016 issue of Globerovers Magazine.
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