RAGPICKERS DREAMS
The title of this post comes from British musician Mark Knopfler's album 'The Ragpicker's Dream.' The story that will eventually be posted here is about a local man, John Brown, who by definition is a modern Rag and Bone man. A Rag and Bone Man is defined as 'someone who collects unwanted household items and sells them to merchants,' that's what John does.
This type of work is also colloquially know as picking and John has been working as an itinerant picker for most of his life. He has a complete knowledge of rural KZN. He does most of his picking in these areas, places that are far off the regional roads and sometimes even far off of the district roads. He grew up in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal and he has an incredible knowledge of the people, their customs and culture. Needless to say he speaks fluent Zulu - probably the most fluent I have ever heard - he has a great respect for rural people and it is really interesting to to see and hear John interact with these people. I hope after another picking trip with John to tell his story in some detail and with many more photos.
This type of work is also colloquially know as picking and John has been working as an itinerant picker for most of his life. He has a complete knowledge of rural KZN. He does most of his picking in these areas, places that are far off the regional roads and sometimes even far off of the district roads. He grew up in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal and he has an incredible knowledge of the people, their customs and culture. Needless to say he speaks fluent Zulu - probably the most fluent I have ever heard - he has a great respect for rural people and it is really interesting to to see and hear John interact with these people. I hope after another picking trip with John to tell his story in some detail and with many more photos.