Isaak Kruiper calls himself a Bushman. He is a member of the ‡Khomani San tribe who are part-owners of !Xaus Lodge in the Kglagadi Transfrontier Park. Isaak works occasionally in the craft village next to the Lodge, making necklaces, wall hangings and other crafts for the tourists who come to visit the Lodge. The village is an open facility for any Bushman who wants a quiet place to work, and a steady stream of customers. On average the crafters stay for two weeks before their need to "take a break" from regular work and rhythms has them moving on. Isaak is one of the regulars - he will spend around 15-20 weeks a year working.
DNA specialists tell us that the Bushman are the oldest race of people in the world and call them the "First people". If the age of human DNA is shown on branches of a tree, Isaak's DNA is close to the trunk, on the lowest branches. The traditional Bushman life involved family units of around 11 people living a pure hunter/gatherer life without owning any livestock or possessions that they could not pick up and carry as they moved. Their culture was one of complete harmony with nature: no domination, not need to rule or conquer and no concept of ownership. It went that far that, as a people, they had no collective name for themselves. The term “Bushman” was coined by the European settlers. The modern politically correct name is “San” a derivative of the name given to them by another indigenous race, the Khoi Khoi. I asked Isaak what he calls his people, and he was quite firm that “Ek is ‘n Boesman” (I am a Bushman).
Small in stature (Isaak is less than 5ft tall) around 300 years ago they were caught in the pincer movement of the Bantu tribes moving south, and the white tribes coming to Africa from overseas. Those few that survived smallpox, assimilation and extermination now live in the Kalahari. In common with many aboriginal races around the world the clash of the traditional lifestyle and the modern world is not going well. Isaak spoke at length about how they, as elders, will need to teach their children the old ways, but find a way to live in the new world.
And the Year of the Porcupine? That’s about 1965, which makes him 45 years old.
Originally started the project to improve my photography skills. Over a 2500 photos later it's become a personal diary. I post pictures that mark my...
Great portrait Eleanor...wow he looks an old 45 years, his eyes are wise and his life has been hard. Thankyou so much for posting this history of the San People :-)
I read with fascination your story here about Isaak! I'd seen the porcupine quill photo and came back to begin here. That's such a nice portrait, and a really stunning history (and history lesson)! 365 has been such a fulfilling place to learn about other cultures from this world-wide circle of friends!
