The Most Ancient Race San (Bushmen) of the Kalahari Written by Lin Donn Illustrated by Phillip Martin

The San People Archaeologists believe that the San people have been living in the Kalahari Desert for 30,000 years. That would make the San people the most ancient race! Some archaeologists think the San have been living in Africa for 80,000 years! About a thousand years ago, when another African tribe moved south into the Kalahari Desert area, they were surprised to find the San people already living there.

The San People The San people did not greet the newcomers with poisoned arrows. Instead, they welcomed them. They taught the newcomers how to be successful hunter-gathers. Other tribes wandered into the area. Everyone got along until the Europeans arrived. The San asked England for help. In 1961, the English created a protected place in Africa, the Central Kalahari Game Preserve. Today, about 30,000 San live in the Kalahari Reserve with others living scattered in Africa.

The San People The San people are under five feet tall. Their skin has a yellowish tinge. They live the same way today as they have for many, many thousands of years. They are still hunter-gatherers. They camp in one place, and then move on. They know where and when wild plants are ready for harvest. Using sticks, the women dig melons, bulbs, roots, tubers, nuts, fruits, and leafy vegetables as they are in season.

The San People They also eat meat. The San men hunt wild animals using spears and bows and arrows dipped in poison. Clothing is made from animal skins. They wear short leather aprons, skin sandals, and beads. Sometimes they make homes in caves. Sometimes they build huts made of branches and grass. But always, their homes are simple and part of the land.

The San People Because the San live so simply, you might think they do not have an understanding of things. But the San are very clever. One of the problems in Africa is drought. The San do not depend on creeks. They find water in plants, in stomachs of animals they have killed, or where water has collected. They store this water in hollowed out ostrich eggshells. Some shells are carried. The rest are buried, so they always have water to drink.

The San People The San are storytellers. They tell of magical beasts and clever animals. The San have their own language that includes clicking sounds. Even if you don't understand the language, you can still enjoy the stories because the San are great mimics of people and animals.

The San People Nobody knows much about the San religion. They seem to believe in many gods. Then again, stories about their gods could be just that - stories. You never know with the San. They love to tease.

The San People The San are clever about medicines. They mix berries to make poisons and remedies. They know how to protect themselves from snake bites. They even have a secret substance they put in their campfires to discourage dangerous animals from visiting their camps. There are less than 80,000 San people in the world. Some do not know how to make the old medicines. Scientists are working with the San to learn about these medicines before this knowledge is lost forever.

The San People You can see why people are fascinated with this ancient culture - the San of the Kalahari - who have managed to live and flourish in the same way for 30,000 years! To get a small taste of the sound and sight of the San people, enjoy this short trailer from Vanishing Cultures. If the link does not work, go here: http://www.vanishingcultures.tv/vctrailer.html