The Mava Field School, founded by the Institute of Creative Repair, in collaboration The Herd, takes its name from the Xhosa word “Mava,” which means “experience” or “experiences.” True to its name, the school is rooted in the idea that knowledge is best gained through lived experience and meaningful interaction.

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This ground breaking initiative is dedicated to preserving and passing on indigenous knowledge—especially traditional craft skills. Rather than treating these traditions as something frozen in time, the school champions active research, hands-on documentation, and the evolution of knowledge in real-world contexts.

At the heart of the Mava Field School is a methodology called PPIS—short for Participant Research, Place-based Documentation, Interdisciplinary Corroboration, and Situational Learning. Developed by the Institute of Creative Repair, this approach supports the sharing of knowledge in dynamic, collaborative ways, keeping both the physical and intangible elements of heritage alive.

Our very first edition of the Mava Field School, presented in partnership with the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History, with support from the National Heritage Council, shines a light on traditional practices from the Venda region of Limpopo—pottery, wood carving, jewelry-making, and the crafting of musical instruments.

More than 60 students, practitioners and early career professionals from diverse fields will have the rare opportunity to learn directly from master artisans—potters, woodworkers, instrument makers, and jewellers—while also helping to record and preserve their knowledge.