The Khoisan are one of the world’s oldest indigenous groups, inhabiting southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Angola) for over 20,000 years. Comprising the San (Bushmen) and Khoikhoi (Hottentots), they are renowned for their click languages, hunter-gatherer traditions, and genetic distinctiveness.

Key Features of the Khoisan People

Hunter-Gatherer Heritage The San traditionally lived as nomadic foragers, tracking game with poisoned arrows and gathering wild plants, while the Khoikhoi were pastoralists, herding sheep and cattle. Their survival skills in the Kalahari Desert are legendary.

Unique Languages Khoisan languages feature click consonants (e.g., !, ǂ, ǁ), some of the most complex sounds in human speech. Many are now endangered due to cultural assimilation.

Spiritual Beliefs Khoisan spirituality centers on animism, with rituals for rainmaking, healing dances, and reverence for the Kaggen (trickster god). Shamans enter trances to commune with spirits.

Rock Art & Cultural Legacy The Khoisan created ancient rock paintings and engravings, some over 27,000 years old, depicting wildlife and rituals. Their music (using the musical bow) and oral stories preserve ecological wisdom.

Modern Struggles Displaced by colonialism and land seizures, many Khoisan live in poverty, fighting for land rights and recognition. Some work as trackers or in tourism, while activists revive languages and traditions.

The Khoisan’s ancient roots, linguistic uniqueness, and fight for survival highlight their enduring legacy as Africa’s first peoples.