San people: Difference between revisions
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The '''Bushmen''' or '''San''' peoples of [[South Africa]] and neighbouring [[Botswana]] and [[Namibia]], who live in the [[Kalahari]], are part of the [[Khoisan]] group and are related to the [[Khoikhoi]]. However, they have no collective name for themselves in any of their languages. They have a [[manual communication]] system that they use while hunting. |
The '''Bushmen''' or '''San''' peoples of [[South Africa]] and neighbouring [[Botswana]] and [[Namibia]], who live in the [[Kalahari]], are part of the [[Khoisan]] group and are related to the [[Khoikhoi]]. However, they have no collective name for themselves in any of their languages. They have a [[manual communication]] system that they use while hunting. |
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Along with the [[pygmy|pygmies]] of Central Africa, the Bushmen have been considered a possible root or source for the [[Mitochondrial DNA|female DNA]] lineage - the legendary [[Mitochondrial Eve]]. |
Along with the [[pygmy|pygmies]] of Central Africa, the Bushmen have been considered a possible root or source for the [[Mitochondrial DNA|female DNA]] lineage - the legendary [[Mitochondrial Eve]]. Bushmen are known to be shorter than other ethnic Africans, and they usually have oval eyes not dissimilar to some Asian peoples. |
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The term "San" was historically applied to them by their ethnic relatives and historic rivals the [[Khoikhoi]]; as the term means ''outsider'' and was derogatory, many of this group prefer to be called Bushmen, despite the fact that the term is considered politically incorrect by most Westerners (see this [http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=17062002-072804-4319r UPI feature]). |
The term "San" was historically applied to them by their ethnic relatives and historic rivals the [[Khoikhoi]]; as the term means ''outsider'' and was derogatory, many of this group prefer to be called Bushmen, despite the fact that the term is considered politically incorrect by most Westerners (see this [http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=17062002-072804-4319r UPI feature]). |
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In modern South Africa, the Bushmen have largely been absorbed into the so-called [[Coloured]] or [[Griqua]] population. |
In modern South Africa, the Bushmen have largely been absorbed into the so-called [[Coloured]] or [[Griqua]] population. |
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Bushmen are known to be shorter than other ethnic africans, and they usually have asiatic oval eyes. |
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The Bushmen of the [[Kalahari]] were first brought to the western world's attention in the 1950s by South African author [[Laurens van der Post]] with the famous book ''The Lost World of the Kalahari'', which was also a BBC TV series. |
The Bushmen of the [[Kalahari]] were first brought to the western world's attention in the 1950s by South African author [[Laurens van der Post]] with the famous book ''The Lost World of the Kalahari'', which was also a BBC TV series. |
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Since [[2002]], the Bushmen of Botswana are seeking legal action to prevent the Botswana government from removing them from the [[Central Kalahari Game Reserve]], their ancestral homeland. The Bushmen are arguing that the Government of Botswana is attempting to destroy their culture through forced relocation and persecution based on their identity. |
Since [[2002]], the Bushmen of Botswana are seeking legal action to prevent the Botswana government from removing them from the [[Central Kalahari Game Reserve]], their ancestral homeland. The Bushmen are arguing that the Government of Botswana is attempting to destroy their culture through forced relocation and persecution based on their identity. |
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== Further reading == |
== Further reading == |
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Revision as of 18:12, 2 June 2005
The Bushmen or San peoples of South Africa and neighbouring Botswana and Namibia, who live in the Kalahari, are part of the Khoisan group and are related to the Khoikhoi. However, they have no collective name for themselves in any of their languages. They have a manual communication system that they use while hunting.
Along with the pygmies of Central Africa, the Bushmen have been considered a possible root or source for the female DNA lineage - the legendary Mitochondrial Eve. Bushmen are known to be shorter than other ethnic Africans, and they usually have oval eyes not dissimilar to some Asian peoples.
The term "San" was historically applied to them by their ethnic relatives and historic rivals the Khoikhoi; as the term means outsider and was derogatory, many of this group prefer to be called Bushmen, despite the fact that the term is considered politically incorrect by most Westerners (see this UPI feature).
In modern South Africa, the Bushmen have largely been absorbed into the so-called Coloured or Griqua population. Nelson Mandela is a Bushman.
The Bushmen of the Kalahari were first brought to the western world's attention in the 1950s by South African author Laurens van der Post with the famous book The Lost World of the Kalahari, which was also a BBC TV series.
The 1980 comedy movie The Gods Must Be Crazy portrays a Kalahari Bushman tribes first encounter with an artifact from the outside world (a Coke bottle).
Since 2002, the Bushmen of Botswana are seeking legal action to prevent the Botswana government from removing them from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, their ancestral homeland. The Bushmen are arguing that the Government of Botswana is attempting to destroy their culture through forced relocation and persecution based on their identity.
Further reading
- Survival International and National Geographic highlight the Botswana bushmen issue.
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