A big heart with strong lungs to keep the spirits high
Although inspired by Scottish lineage, the Pralls are proudly South African, and Richard routinely belts out his rendition of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika to patriotic onlookers
Almost 200 years ago to the week, the waters off the southern coast of South Africa were dotted with vessels nearing their intended destination.
Launched from the ports of Britain, almost 30 ships would dock along the coast of our present-day Western and Eastern Cape, bringing with them their unique version of an age-old instrument. Made from an organic bag, wood and reeds, variants of the bagpipe can be traced back as far as 1000 BC.
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The sound it produces is both simultaneously haunting yet uplifting as it stirs a well as deep as human experience. Keeping the music, technique and tradition alive is the father and daughter trio of Richard, Kiara and Tatum Prall.
Since the beginning of the state-imposed lockdown, the Pralls have been entertaining their neighbours with Scottish sights and sounds.
“It started out as a salute to local and international health workers, and has just kicked off from there,” explained Richard after spending over 30 minutes warming up his instrument.
Complementing their kilted father is 14-year-old drummer Kiara, and eight-year-old Tatum who teamed up for a folk dance performed in classic Scottish attire.
Even though Richard took up playing the bagpipes relatively later in life, he is a competing piper who, along with Kiara, performs in the African Skye Pipe Band.
“It was just something I always wanted to do,” said Richard, who also boasts late 1980s rock-performer credentials. He may not be the most talented in the family however, as Kiara is already a premier-level dancer, and Tatum is just beginning her artistic journey.
Although inspired by Scottish lineage, the Pralls are proudly South African, and Richard routinely belts out his rendition of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika to patriotic onlookers.
Africa has her own musical enchantments that she uses to awake the soul with the kalimba, the kora and the djembe drum foremost of her seductive spells.
Combined with the Highland import, they arrange into a beautiful symphony that personifies the people who inhabit our glorious land south of the Limpopo river.
