Dan+H.+-+CA+-+SP11


 * Language: **

The Bushmen speak Khoisan. The language is known for using mainly mono- and bisyllabic (one and two syllable) words. Its all based around tonal sounds and also "click" noises. There are many different dialects of Khoisan but they are all based around the use of this "click" sound. In writing these "click" sounds are represented by ! and /. It is slowly becoming favored to represent the "clicks" with c's and q's. The Bushmen language Khoisan has been making changes and will soon be replaced entirely instead by the language Setswana.


 * Beliefs: **

The Bushmen believe in the San Religion. They believe that there are two worlds, the spirit world and then the world we live in. A shaman is able to enter the spirit world by entering a trance. While in this trance they see visions of the spirits, which they believe to be the cause of all illnesses and misfortunes that befall upon their village. The shaman interprets the visions of the spirits to try and find a cure or solution for the misfortune that is plaguing their village. The cure for most illnesses is a herb or a ritual of some kind. Bushmen are polytheistic, believing in main gods, but they recognize that there is one more powerful, supreme god.


 * Values: **

The family is the main value of Bushmen society. They live in nuclear families, consisting of a mother, father, and children, but since they are hunters and gathers, they also have the tribe they hunt and travel with. They also value storytelling, art, and dancing/music. They are know to create a type of art, known as San Rock art. They have many spiritual rituals which almost always involve dancing and also some times storytelling. Their stories are passed down from generation to generation.


 * Behaviors: **

As previously stated, Bushmen originally lived as hunters in gathers. They lived together in tribes or bands that they traveled around in as they followed the herds of animals. As they traveled, they foraged for berries and other edible plants. Starting in the 1950's, they switched over to a more agricultural type of society. This was not done because they wanted to change, but because of government required changes that were made. Hunting and gathering also was becoming less efficient because of the advancement of technology.


 * Impact of Cultural Changes: **

The life of the Bushmen society is somewhat controversial. For example, they change they had to make because of the government forcing them to change to an agricultural society. There also has been dispute over where they live. They have been forced to live in lands that they are not native too, similar to how early in American history the Native Americans were forced from their ancestral lands. One such example of this is the Bushmen of Botswana who were not permitted access to water on their ancestral land. The UN noted that water is a human right and thus should not be taken away as it was. The changes they are being forced to accept are because modern African society does not accept their native ways and want them to change with the time.


 * Primary Documents **

Bushmen Community in Central Kalahari. N.d. San People of South Africa, South Africa. South Africa Tours and Travels. Web. 26 Jan. 2011.
 * This source provided a snapshot into the living conditions of the Bushmen. It showed their houses and general, everyday clothing.

Bushman Stalking Pair. N.d. Journ, South Africa. Cultures of America. Web. 26 Jan. 2011.


 * This source informed me of the importance of hunting to Bushman society. I learned that the Bushman often sneak up on their prey in order to kill them.


 * Journal **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Hansen, Terri. " Bushmen denied water, launch appeal | Mother Earth Journal." Mother Earth Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://mother-earth- <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">journal.com/2010/09/01-bushmen-denied-water-launch-appeal/>.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This source provided information on the modern struggles Bushmen are facing. Because of culture change, their ways are not always accepted.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Print Source **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">"San." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. Ed. Jeneen Hobby and Timothy Gall. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2009. 463-468. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 25 Jan. 2011.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">From this source I found general information on the Bushmen. I also received extensive knowledge of their language.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Other Sources **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">"Bushmen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushmen>.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">From this source I received more general information on the Bushmen. Specifically, information on their change from hunters and gathers to an agriculture society.