| Location: |
Botswana,
northern South
Africa |
| Population: |
not available |
| Language: |
Khoisan languages |
| Neighboring Peoples: |
Tswana, Zulu,
Swazi |
| Types of Art: |
San rock paintings are among the oldest forms of art found on the
African continent. |
| History: |
The term San is commonly used by scholars to refer to a diverse group
of foragers living in southern Africa who share historical and linguistic
connections. This same group of people was formerly referred to as
"Bushmen," but this term has since been abandoned because it is considered
racist and sexist. However, unless properly defined, the term San may
elicit the same responses. It is believed that San have lived in the area
of the Kalahari desert for thousands of years and may be the first humans
to have occupied this region. There are numerous subgroups of San who live
in small groups among their sedentary Bantu neighbors. They speak numerous
dialects of a group of languages known for the characteristic "clicks"
that can be heard in their pronunciation. |
| Economy: |
San are generally defined as a hunter and gatherer society or as
foragers. As such, they live in small family groups and move about the
land in search of food sources. In recent years, many San have begun to
settle into larger groups around water sources, and many have also settled
into the communities of their neighbors. In a hunting and gathering
society, the women are usually responsible for procuring most of the food.
They collect nuts and berries and dig for roots. They also capture small
animals, which provide most of the protein for the family. Men usually
hunt in small groups, but the food they provide is minimal. Surviving for
thousands of years in the Kalahari, San peoples have had to develop a keen
awareness of their surroundings and have learned to benefit from a
seemingly harsh environment. |
| Political Systems: |
Leadership among the San is reserved for those who have lived within
that group for a considerable time, who have achieved a respectable age,
and who have desirable personal qualities. San are largely egalitarian,
sharing such things as meat and tobacco. Land is usually owned by a group,
and rights to land are usually inherited bilaterally. Kinship bonds
provide the basic framework for political models. Membership in a group is
determined by residency. As long as a person lives on the land of his
group he maintains his membership. It is possible to hunt on lands not
owned by the group, but permission must first be obtained by the
owners. |
| Religion: |
San religions generally observe the supremacy of one powerful god,
while at the same time recognizing the presence of lesser gods along with
their wives and children. Respect is also paid to the spirits of the dead.
Among some San it is believed that tilling the soil is contrary to the
world order established by the god. Some groups also reserve reverence for
the moon. San peoples have extensive oral traditions, and many of their
tales incorporate stories about the gods that serve to educate listeners
about what is considered moral San behavior. Of prime importance in all
San groups is a ritual dance that serves to heal the community. The dance
is a communal enterprise that transforms spiritual power and energy into
medicine for all those who dance. The power is harnessed in the stomachs
of both men and women, many of whom go into trance. This power can be used
to heal both physical and psychological illnesses. |
