BUSHMEN

A photograph of man, as he existed 50,000 years ago. That is how long the Bushmen, the most ancient people of southern Africa, have lived in the Kalahari Desert as hunters-gatherers, maintaining their culture to the present day.

Their only concession to the 21st century has been to wear clothes. Among those who conform most to the image of a people who live in complete harmony with nature are the Juhoansi. In the language of the Bushmen, "Juhoansi" means "the real people". The first Europeans in southern Africa, however, called them "Bushmen" and proceeded to wipe out 200,000 of them in 200 years. They sold them in slave markets and to travelling circuses. This merciless hunting down was continued by neighbouring tribes of Namibia. Today, they represent the last link with our own past at a time when man had not yet domesticated animals or engaged in agriculture.

55 MINUTES, AVAILABLE VERSIONS: Greek, English

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Bushmen
• Africa
• Kalahari
• Desert
• Juhoansi
• Namibia
• exandas

[ariues]

his race is the race of your ancestors dumb ass.

[terransage]

Genetically we're all related to the San Bushmen. If we could trace all of our great great great etc. grandparents back through the ages, it would lead us here. I hope that fact makes people want to venerate and protect these people, the direct descendants of our ancestors.

[MrKacsa20]

they are one of the oldest or probably the first tramps in human history ..LOL

[Afrodidiac]

@HugoTheSavant Oh, that's horrible! I think I recall studying some of that in highschool. It's an injuctice that cannot be reversed, brother. It will always be like this the only thing left to do is to promote it so that those who belong to it can expand it, dont you think? San culture will blow your mind away, probably has already. What happened with me is that I live the Setswana culture - very similar to the San people- BUuuut my ancestors were Khoi. How it got lost along the way...God knows

[HugoTheSavant]

@HugoTheSavant

I should also add that I sympathize for what has happened to the San, because I myself stem from a culture that was pretty much abused by others. If you've read about what happened to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, then I'm sure you can relate. I am of mixed heritage, since Spaniards raped my Nahuatl-Maya ancestors, yet I care about the side that was destroyed. In fact, the Nahuatl groups are almost completely EXTINCT, thanks to European colonization and murder. :(

[HugoTheSavant]

@Afrodidiac

Thanks for your feedback, I really appreciate the first hand knowledge you have given me. Anyway, I've just read a lot about all sorts of cultures, and the San interest me because their traditional lifestyle is by far the most challenging and skill demanding on Earth, unlike that which fat Americans and the like choose to live. I guess I'm also amazed by how San culture is all about sharing and respect, unlike the materialistic mentality here.

[Afrodidiac]

@HugoTheSavant Yes I have a lot of Khoi-San descent which I have lost touch with because of all the abuse. Everything you say is true. Too many people, including other Africans, have violated us but that is all in the past. With many difficulties my people have a voice now. Thanks for respect. San people is all about culture, tradition and heritage. Where are you from? Why are u intrigued?

[HugoTheSavant]

@Afrodidiac

You are Khoi-San? I have never met one before, so I want to know your experiences: is it true that other Africans (the "blacks) treat your people poorly? I've read that Kho-San / Masarwa people are very marginalized in Southern Africa, and that other Africans look down on them. I personally respect your people for being strong and sticking true to their values and traditions.

[DCoa5]

anybody watching this for anth 111 too?

[onemoreturn]

@banoksvergin

I believe they're allready dead though...