Kalahari+Bushmen

Kalahari Bushmen, also known as “San people,” are all members of various indigenous hunter-gatherer people. They are one of the first people known to be on the continent and have lived there for thousands of years. The Bushmen have always lived in the desert areas of the kalahari, but many neglected them and pushed them into smaller regions. Most live in Botswana today, where a Central Kalahari Game Reserve is located. It was made to protect their land and game.

Kalahari Bushmen are most famous for their hunting. In fact, they are Africa’s last hunting bushmen. Sadly many of them face racism. The hunters use an old fashioned hunting style- one with a bow and arrow. They often use dogs to help them hunt and they hunt regularly. An average day at a bushman’s house the wife would be weaving, cleaning, etc and the husband would be hunting. Hunting is based all around their livelihood.

In the place that we’re visiting in South Africa, the bushmen made a huge impact. Since 1990, the central government of Botswana has tried to remove bushmen from their areas. They claimed that it took up their land and food. The government has succeeded in that and many have fought for their land and rights. Finally, in 2006 they got their hearing. The court allowed them only some of their land back, and they took it. However, they did not supply them with water. It wasn’t until January 2011 that a high court appeal allowed them water. Unfortunately, again in May 2013 the San people were being evicted from their homes. Even though this was against the law, the government didn’t do anything about it. The whole couple months felt like an eternity, but in August a trial started.

The Kalahari Bushmen have taught so many South Africans- even other races- about fighting for their rights. They have contributed to so many things on the continent and have true South African blood.