SAN OF NAMIBIA

Continued... The San were traditionally semi-nomadic, moving seasonally within certain defined areas governed only by the availability of resources; water, game animals, and edible plants. Government-mandated modernisation programs have completely impacted and changed their way of life and restricted their once nomadic lifestyle.

Not wishing to exploit or impose on these people it was difficult to locate a community that at least had some control on how outsiders are allowed to visit and interact with them. Slightly dubious that we may be infringing on their rights we did extensive research and travelled to an isolated area on the Botswana border. It was at the assurance that it was purely at the discretion of the group that we agreed to visit them.

The San were welcoming and no sooner had we left their encampment and followed them out to forage we became aware that they were immediately at one with their environment and were totally disinterested by our presence, we felt like observers, almost a 'fly on the wall' perspective except when they shared their findings with us. It did not matter that we were unable to understand their complicated yet fascinating click language, it was easy to interpret their acting out of the stories of the bush and how they hunted and trapped game. Later when watching them dance and enact their games we were mesmerised and enchanted by the women's grace and agility; like elegant kudus. A lasting memory that will be greatly treasured forever.

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