Also known as the San, these people have an estimated population of eighty thousand and live in Namibia, Botswana as well as South Africa.
The Khoisan are famous for the clicking sound while speaking their language, their nomadic way of life as well as their strong relationship they have with Mother Nature and they are known to be South Africa’s first inhabitants.
They were unfortunately hunted in different ways, exploited and eventually kicked off their land, and today they are among the minority people in South Africa. The survival and culture of San is nowadays dangerously hanging by a thread.
The San people from the old times wandered over the wide areas of Southern Africa and were known to be hunters and gatherers who survived off the land.
These bush men have been constrained to smaller areas for many reasons such as establishment of national park, farming and mining among others. Today, they live in the area close to the Makgadikgadi Pan, in small groups.
You can find the fascinating rock art that goes back thousands of years ago in the rock projections and caves throughout the country done by the Bushmen who once upon a time were the amazing artists across Southern Africa.
The San used stains made from eggs, ochers, blood and mineral deposits to make the beautiful images of animals as well as the humans.
Their paintings were for several years believed to be simply an illustration of their daily life and so the paintings in the caves found in the Drakensberg Mountains portray that at one time that place was a habitant to the elephants, elands, and leopards which are currently wiped out in this region.
Modern theories on the other hand credit these African tribe paintings to a far more thrilling idea. The caves were believed to be divine monuments somewhat cathedrals that were used as a connection to the spirit world by the Shamans.
The images are both archives of the meetings and entry points to these domains. The belief of the anthropologists is that the popular trance dance is defined vividly by this rock art.
The trance dance which is very enthralling is vital to the Bushmen’s beliefs and traditions. the enchanting dance which is also called the healing dance brings the whole community closer.
The elders as well as the healers who direct the ritual imitate animals, clap, dance around the fire and stamp their feet as the members of the community control the rhythm by chanting as well as clapping.
The energy followed by the panting and sweating triggers a strong weird state through which they can access the world of the spirits.
The dance possesses many cultural uses to these natives such as healing illnesses and banishing what they refer to as “star-sickness” that causes jealousy, ill-will, as well as anger arguments.
