The Bushmen’s history goes back over 20.000 years, they were the original inhabitants of South Africa. There are many different tribes within the general name of ‘Bushmen’ or ‘San’, each with their own language and traditions. The San, owing to their small tribal numbers and lack of political recognition have gradually been forced from their hunting grounds to government lands shared with more powerful ethnic tribes.
The !Gubi family and others like them have the same characteristics. They are a united and extended family of about 40 people of every generation. They are gentle, friendly and dignified, qualities, which push them to the bottom of the heap. Family members are murdered, they are unfairly treated by the government where handouts are concerned, they are wrongly charged for water, they pay heavily for transport. They are unable to graze their cattle because of overgrazing by their more powerful neighbours. Animals they hunted in the past are no longer there. They are within earshot of their neighbours so are unable to practice their healing, their traditional singing and dancing, for fear of being intimidated.
The consequences of losing this family would be like losing an ancient library. Hunting skills, survival techniques, knowledge of nature, the preparation of bush food, herbs and medicines, dancing, healing and their spiritual beliefs would be lost forever. The Nlohan dialect of the Taa speakers, already on the list of endangered languages would become extinct.
!Gubi with his wife Oma has imbued his family with the Bushman ethos and they are determined to give them the security they deserve.
PROJECT FOR THE !GUBI FAMILY
The aim of our project is to rescue and perpetuate the !Gubi family in their unique way of life. The success of this project will enable this family to a place where they can become self sufficient and become a blueprint for others in a similar situation
PHASE 1
Offer the !Gubi family land, protection, security an job opportunities.
PHASE 2
Provide the !Gubi family with the education by buiding a school and creating possibilities of further education through scholarships
PHASE 3
Developing a Research Centre available for those who would like to study their language,traditions, healing and spiritual beliefs
We are raising at the moment £50.000 for completing Phase 1 of the project
For more information please contact Beata Aleksandrowicz
07970 225210
info@thekalaharibushmensupport.com
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