Genetic origins of the tribe reach back to over one million years, revealing the oldest gene pattern amongst modern humans with the evolutionary studies supporting the evidence and indicating San as the closest surviving people to the original Homo sapiens and ancestors of contemporary humanity. 

Small in stature with a light skin, which wrinkles very early in life giving them distinct, weathered and earthy appearance.

San live in the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert, which is divided among 3 countries – South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Less than 3,000 of the tribe members have retained their traditional lifestyle of hunters and gatherers, following ancient cultural practices. In sub-Saharan Africa, there are many different Bushman groups, with no collective name for themselves, hence the terms 'Bushman', 'San', ‘or 'Basarwa' are used interchangeably, as they speak variety of languages, all of which incorporate 'click' sounds.

San social structure is not exactly tribal, it is more of a loosely knit family culture where decisions are made by universal discussion and agreement by consensus. The roles of men and women are very distinct and rarely overlapped, which is a characteristic almost universal amongst hunter/gatherers around the world.  

Each hunter is equipped with a cross and the bow, and leather bag containing medicine, tools, arrows, and amulets.

The San are famous for their tracking skills. Using traps, bows, spears, and arrows coated with various toxins, such as snake venom, poisonous caterpillar, or a toxic plant, they are able to track animals for days across the desert plains. The poisons used by hunters will not be dangerous for consumption, as the hunter will simply remove the flesh where the arrow pierced the animal body.

Origins of Fire | Stories of Kalahari Bushman 
Collaboration with the Faculty of Anthropology at University of Burgos