Lorenzo Colbert Jr. Essays (404 words) - Africa, San People

Lorenzo Colbert Jr. Africana Studies 235 MWF 3:25-4:20 Most Ancient Race Did you know that the most ancient race on the planet is an African tribe? That African tribe goes by Bushmen or The San People of Kalahari Desert. The Bushmen are apart of a group called Khosian and are related to the Khoikhoi. They are hunter and gathers who live in temporary wooden shelters. Scientists have evidence that they have been around for 30,000 years and are rich in skills, folklore, and art. Genetics have traced that they are the oldest human population on the continent. First, Studies of African DNA has shown high levels of genetic diversity in the Bushmen. These studies conclude that they are the oldest population on Earth. In 2009, a team of scientists gathered information from genetic material from 121 African populations and reported they found 14 ancestral population clusters. With this research they also found the origin of human migration and this is said to be the homeland of the Bushmen communities. Studies show that all other Africans are descendants of the Bushmen people and possibly so is every other human. Secondly, Bushmen hunt enthusiastically in their own way and fashion. They are excellent marksman and use bow and arrows to hunt. They will spend days out hunting for the village especially for big animals that have to be exhausted. Bushmen believe that some fat from certain animals give them supernatural potency. The women are usually gatherers and their gathering gear is simple and effective. They use a sling, blanket, and a cloak to carry food, wood, children, and/or a digging stick. The Bushmen people were true nomads and some still hold these traditions close. Thirdly, Bushmen are very rich in folklore, skills, and art. They have left over 20,000 rock paintings which can all be found in caves in over 500 different sites. Some of these paintings represented evocation of a spiritual power and they believe that some even opened up portals to the spirit world. Through these practices the Bushmen believed that they can gain power in their lives and gain power with the hunt. To conclude, the Bushmen are the oldest civilization on the Earth. They are from the Kalahari Desert and still are alive to this day. They are somewhat still the same people they were 20,000 years ago today.