The San are the oldest inhabitants of
Southern Africa, thought to have made the Kalahari desert their home for
over a hundred thousand years. Found in South Africa, Zimbabwe,
Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia & Angola, the San
are one of 14 known 'ancestral population clusters' from which all known
modern humans are thought to be evolved. It is thought that around
85,000 San are alive today with the majority found in Botswana and
Namibia.
Whilst they are commonly referred to as San, Bushmen, Sho, Khwe or Basarwa - there is actually no collective name for these indigenous people as they are not all the same. In fact, a study of African genetic diversity found that the San people were among the five populations with the highest measured levels of genetic diversity among the 121 distinct African populations sampled. Whilst there is not just one common language amongst the San with different dialects evident, all incorporate a 'clicking' sound.
The San traditionally live in small groups (or bands) of around 10 to 40 individuals. Groups tend to me made up of family members. There is no appointed chief or leader and decision are usually made by consensus. The San are a mobile people, moving as the climate, conditions and food availability dictate. As such, they have no established homes and make their homes in caves or in temporary huts using wood they gather from their surroundings. Branches are tied together in a semi-circle with grass tufts to form a roof.
The San are hunter gatherers. Hunting is a collaborative exercise with the rewards shared amongst the group. The San hunt animals using simple devices such as spears and bows and arrows. They also forage for fruit, nuts and roots to supplement their diet. Knowledge is passed down from generation to generation which enables the San to understand their surroundings and know where and when to find wild plants that are ready to be harvested. The San know how to find water sources in the Kalahari - they don't rely on creeks, but use plants and animals as water sources. Water is often stored in ostrich eggs and buried until needed. Being so in tune with their environment enables the San to survive in what is often regarded as an inhospitable area.
The San are also incredibly knowledgeable about the medicinal properties of their natural resources. They mix potions, remedies and even poisons from the articles that they can collect in their surroundings. The poisons created by the San are legendary - each hunter tends to have his own favourite! Poisons are applied to the tip of the hunters arrows which cause paralysis and then death once they enter the bloodstream of the prey.
One of the most famous images that people associate Kalahari hunting tours with the San is the cave and rock paintings that are found across southern Africa. Many of these paintings depict mythological stories or dreams that shamens have had about the spirits. The images and styles differ wildly and whilst it is often impossible to know their true history, they are fascinating to see.
Bushmen have had to face up to numerous challenges including cattle encroachment onto their lands, oppression as well as eviction from their ancestral homelands. As the San do not have a permanent home and no concept of private ownership, it is very hard for them to prove that land belongs to them. Having no traditional leader also makes it difficult for their grievances to be regarded. Organisations such as the Kalahari Peoples Fund are working to support such land issues and to protect the rights of the San people.
The San way of life attracts great interest from an anthropological point of view and recent initiatives are looking at ways of helping to preserve their traditions and insights for future generations. Knowledge banks are being established to help to document this intelligence so that it can be kept alive.
An increasing interest from tourists in the San way of life has in some cases led to exploitation of the people themselves. Organisations such as the Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA) are working to try to ensure such instances do not occur and are helping the San to set up and run their own trusts and community based organisations. Visiting such communities as part of a responsible safari holiday not only gives visitors a unique insight into the traditional San culture, but also helps to directly contribute to the communities themselves.
Whilst they are commonly referred to as San, Bushmen, Sho, Khwe or Basarwa - there is actually no collective name for these indigenous people as they are not all the same. In fact, a study of African genetic diversity found that the San people were among the five populations with the highest measured levels of genetic diversity among the 121 distinct African populations sampled. Whilst there is not just one common language amongst the San with different dialects evident, all incorporate a 'clicking' sound.
The San traditionally live in small groups (or bands) of around 10 to 40 individuals. Groups tend to me made up of family members. There is no appointed chief or leader and decision are usually made by consensus. The San are a mobile people, moving as the climate, conditions and food availability dictate. As such, they have no established homes and make their homes in caves or in temporary huts using wood they gather from their surroundings. Branches are tied together in a semi-circle with grass tufts to form a roof.
The San are hunter gatherers. Hunting is a collaborative exercise with the rewards shared amongst the group. The San hunt animals using simple devices such as spears and bows and arrows. They also forage for fruit, nuts and roots to supplement their diet. Knowledge is passed down from generation to generation which enables the San to understand their surroundings and know where and when to find wild plants that are ready to be harvested. The San know how to find water sources in the Kalahari - they don't rely on creeks, but use plants and animals as water sources. Water is often stored in ostrich eggs and buried until needed. Being so in tune with their environment enables the San to survive in what is often regarded as an inhospitable area.
The San are also incredibly knowledgeable about the medicinal properties of their natural resources. They mix potions, remedies and even poisons from the articles that they can collect in their surroundings. The poisons created by the San are legendary - each hunter tends to have his own favourite! Poisons are applied to the tip of the hunters arrows which cause paralysis and then death once they enter the bloodstream of the prey.
One of the most famous images that people associate Kalahari hunting tours with the San is the cave and rock paintings that are found across southern Africa. Many of these paintings depict mythological stories or dreams that shamens have had about the spirits. The images and styles differ wildly and whilst it is often impossible to know their true history, they are fascinating to see.
Bushmen have had to face up to numerous challenges including cattle encroachment onto their lands, oppression as well as eviction from their ancestral homelands. As the San do not have a permanent home and no concept of private ownership, it is very hard for them to prove that land belongs to them. Having no traditional leader also makes it difficult for their grievances to be regarded. Organisations such as the Kalahari Peoples Fund are working to support such land issues and to protect the rights of the San people.
The San way of life attracts great interest from an anthropological point of view and recent initiatives are looking at ways of helping to preserve their traditions and insights for future generations. Knowledge banks are being established to help to document this intelligence so that it can be kept alive.
An increasing interest from tourists in the San way of life has in some cases led to exploitation of the people themselves. Organisations such as the Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA) are working to try to ensure such instances do not occur and are helping the San to set up and run their own trusts and community based organisations. Visiting such communities as part of a responsible safari holiday not only gives visitors a unique insight into the traditional San culture, but also helps to directly contribute to the communities themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Regards,
Sonera Jhaveri
http://www.sonerajhaveri.com