Introducing the !Kung SanIntroducing the !Kung SanDobe Ju/’hoansiDobe Ju/’hoansi

People of DobePeople of DobeLanguageLanguage

Environmental AdaptationsEnvironmental AdaptationsSettlementSettlement

Ethnography by Richard LeeEthnography by Richard Lee

1963 as part of his dissertation research1963 as part of his dissertation research Learn about foragers as most “basic” of Learn about foragers as most “basic” of

humans.humans. Common “core” of features.Common “core” of features. Learn customs and culture in evolutionary Learn customs and culture in evolutionary

context.context. Also address questions of Also address questions of

ethnoarchaeology.ethnoarchaeology.

Dobe AreaDobe Area

People of DobePeople of Dobe

Hottentots (Khoi)Hottentots (Khoi) Herders of goats and cattleHerders of goats and cattle

San “Bushmen”San “Bushmen” Term bushmen racist and sexistTerm bushmen racist and sexist

Dutch-16Dutch-16thth century century European settlemenEuropean settlemen

Genocidal warfare against SanGenocidal warfare against San Remaining pushed to marginal zones of the Remaining pushed to marginal zones of the

Kalahari desert.Kalahari desert. ~ 112,000 San today~ 112,000 San today

People of DobePeople of Dobe

““Yellow” SanYellow” San Indigenous of South Indigenous of South

AfricaAfrica Click LanguageClick Language Hunter-gatherers, Hunter-gatherers,

farmers, herders and farmers, herders and wage labor.wage labor.

Short, lighter skin, Short, lighter skin, deep chested, deep chested, delicate facial delicate facial features.features.

““Black” SanBlack” San Genetically similar Genetically similar

to Bantuto Bantu Mixed herding, Mixed herding,

farming, wage labor farming, wage labor and some foraging.and some foraging.

Taller, darker skin, Taller, darker skin, stronger facial stronger facial features.features.

Studies of SanStudies of San

Lawrence and Lorna MarshallLawrence and Lorna Marshall Nyae Nyae 1951Nyae Nyae 1951

Silberbauer, Tanaka, Cashdan, KentSilberbauer, Tanaka, Cashdan, Kent /Gwi/Gwi

Bleek, Guenther, BarnardBleek, Guenther, Barnard NharoNharo

Lee, Devore (Kalahari Research Group)Lee, Devore (Kalahari Research Group) Ju/’hoansiJu/’hoansi

Prehistory of SanPrehistory of San

People living in that area of South Africa People living in that area of South Africa as early as 50 thousand years ago (and as early as 50 thousand years ago (and probably earlier).probably earlier).

Debate: San are actually pastoralists Debate: San are actually pastoralists who fled Bantu overlords and became who fled Bantu overlords and became foragers.foragers. Archaeological evidence suggests continuity Archaeological evidence suggests continuity

between present day San and prehistoric between present day San and prehistoric people.people.

No historic documentation of this.No historic documentation of this.

San LanguageSan Language

Unusual sounds called clicks.Unusual sounds called clicks. / = dental click (as in “tsk, tsk”)/ = dental click (as in “tsk, tsk”) ≠ ≠ = alveolar click (tongue on sides of = alveolar click (tongue on sides of

teeth)teeth) ! = alveopalatal click (tongue on roof of ! = alveopalatal click (tongue on roof of

mouth)mouth) // = lateral click (as in urging on a horse)// = lateral click (as in urging on a horse) http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/

0102/online_extra.html0102/online_extra.html

KinshipKinship

Definition-a culturally defined Definition-a culturally defined relationship established on the basis relationship established on the basis of blood ties or marriage.of blood ties or marriage.

Consanguineal Kin-those people Consanguineal Kin-those people related by blood (blood relations).related by blood (blood relations). related to concept of parentage.related to concept of parentage. blood is not such a great term but it gets blood is not such a great term but it gets

the idea across.the idea across. Affinal-related by marriage.Affinal-related by marriage.

Kinship Diagram for !KungKinship Diagram for !Kung

Environmental AdaptationsEnvironmental Adaptations

Dobe areaDobe area 3000 square miles3000 square miles

Kalahari Desert Kalahari Desert 1000-2000 meters above sea level1000-2000 meters above sea level

Aha HillsAha Hills 2100 meters above sea level2100 meters above sea level

HabitatsHabitats

Ju define 4 habitats:Ju define 4 habitats: DunesDunes

Fixed by Mongongo tree vegetation.Fixed by Mongongo tree vegetation. FlatsFlats

Plains between dunes and melapoPlains between dunes and melapo MelapoMelapo

Dry river beds, smaller, acacia trees.Dry river beds, smaller, acacia trees. HardpanHardpan

Bare rock/sand, baobab tree.Bare rock/sand, baobab tree.

Habitat ZonesHabitat Zones

WaterWater

Permanent waterholes (Dobe)Permanent waterholes (Dobe) Seasonal (6 months a year-October Seasonal (6 months a year-October

to March)to March) Interior of Mongongo treeInterior of Mongongo tree Water bearing rootsWater bearing roots

ClimateClimate

Hottest-October to February (86-104 Hottest-October to February (86-104 F)F)

Coolest-June and July (75-80 F)Coolest-June and July (75-80 F) San Recognize Five seasonsSan Recognize Five seasons

!Huma (Spring Rains) Oct-Nov!Huma (Spring Rains) Oct-Nov Bara (Summer Rains) Dec-MarchBara (Summer Rains) Dec-March Tobe (Autumn) April-MayTobe (Autumn) April-May !Gum (Winter) May-August!Gum (Winter) May-August !Gaa (Spring Dry) Aug-October!Gaa (Spring Dry) Aug-October

RainfallRainfall

Highly VariableHighly Variable 1963-64 9.4”1963-64 9.4” 1967-1968 23.5”1967-1968 23.5” 1968-1969 14.7”1968-1969 14.7”

DroughtsDroughts 2 years out of every five2 years out of every five Severe-One year out of every fourSevere-One year out of every four

FaunaFauna

50 Mammal Species50 Mammal Species Kudu, Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Eland, Roan Kudu, Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Eland, Roan

Antelope, Giraffe and Hartebeest most Antelope, Giraffe and Hartebeest most important.important.

90 Bird Species90 Bird Species Ostrich (eggs), guinea fowl, sandgrouse, quail, Ostrich (eggs), guinea fowl, sandgrouse, quail,

dove, ducks most importantdove, ducks most important 25 Reptile/Amphibian Species25 Reptile/Amphibian Species InsectsInsects

Chysomelid Beetle-poison for arrowsChysomelid Beetle-poison for arrows HoneyHoney

HuntingHunting

Meat contributes 30 percent of the calories.Meat contributes 30 percent of the calories. Social-distribution and feasting when a Social-distribution and feasting when a

large animal is killed.large animal is killed. Tools Tools

Bow and arrow, spear, knife, springhare hook, Bow and arrow, spear, knife, springhare hook, and rope snares.and rope snares.

TechniquesTechniques Mobile-poisoned arrows, with dogs, underground Mobile-poisoned arrows, with dogs, underground

after burrowing animals, snaring.after burrowing animals, snaring.

Hunting ToolsHunting Tools

FloraFlora

Mongogo (nuts)Mongogo (nuts) BaobabBaobab Marula (nuts)Marula (nuts) Edible gum (sap)Edible gum (sap) Roots and BulbsRoots and Bulbs Melons (Saba “Bitter”)Melons (Saba “Bitter”) BeanBean

MelonsMelons

Gathering ToolsGathering Tools

Settlement-VillagesSettlement-Villages

Dry Season VillagesDry Season Villages May-Oct, 8-15 huts, 20-50 peopleMay-Oct, 8-15 huts, 20-50 people Near Permanent WaterNear Permanent Water Well constructed hutsWell constructed huts Circular designCircular design

Rainy Season VillagesRainy Season Villages Oct-March, 3-20 huts, 3 weeks to 3 monthsOct-March, 3-20 huts, 3 weeks to 3 months Hastily constructed huts, thickly thatched.Hastily constructed huts, thickly thatched. Up to 6 sites in one rainy seasonUp to 6 sites in one rainy season Circular designCircular design

Village LayoutVillage Layout

Good, shade treesGood, shade trees 0-Plaza0-Plaza 1-Huts & Fires1-Huts & Fires 2-Ash dumps2-Ash dumps 3-Cooking & 3-Cooking &

ButcheringButchering 4-Empty4-Empty 5-Defecation Zone5-Defecation Zone

Settlement-CampsSettlement-Camps

Spring and Fall CampsSpring and Fall Camps No huts, 2-3 weeksNo huts, 2-3 weeks

Overnight StopsOvernight Stops Fire builtFire built

Cattle Post CampsCattle Post Camps Solid huts near cattle/goat herder villagesSolid huts near cattle/goat herder villages 1-20 huts1-20 huts Crescent shaped patternCrescent shaped pattern