Social worlds at the races. Patterns of people, horses and society in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

This article describes horse-racing in rural and urban areas of Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Its empirical focus is on two important events known respectively as the Durban July and the Dundee July. The two spectacles are very different and the people, the horses and the unfolding action expose distinctive patterns of class and race relations. I make an ideal typical contrast between these two social worlds in order to show concretely how contemporary South African society is changing. These parallel universes are embedded in their own specific social networks and their racecourses give expression to contrasting South African identities. Even so, there is considerable overlap between what goes on at these two events. Moreover, rural and urban societies are linked by a longstanding exchange of people, techniques, expertise and money.