Bushmen of the Kalahari in Namibia

Katja!  BUSHMEN in the Namibian Kalahari,  Katja!

Our encounter with the smiling people will forever be very outstanding in my memories.

Not tall. And normally lean and skinny with peppercorn hair and a glowing yellow-brown skin and the widest smile constantly greeting "Katja!"

Our guide spoke good english. All the others did not speak a single word other language than their own Bushman. If we talked to them they smilingly confirm with a hearty "Katja!". Then our guide would translate.

The bushwalk were very informative. We followed them as they collected food to eat and drank water with a reed-straw from a hole in a hardwood tree. They showed us how the poison in collected and made for their arrows.

Seeing the magic of starting a fire with two sticks, was fascinating. They have a small stick with hole. Pour a pinch of sand in the hole. Place the second stick in the holder and rub very fast to create friction. And not before very long, there was the smoke. With eagerness he gently aired it then tenderly transferred it into a bed of tinders. Sand was the last thing on earth I expected in this magic.

Back at the straw shelter, The women were sitting with their beads and jewellery making. Ostrich shell was traditionally chipped in pieces, rounded and holed, Then strung with other seed or wood for necklaces and armbands.
 They expertly made small bows and arrows for us. We had a chance to help. Common plants were used. I learned a lot.
Have you noted the axe? They can remove the blade, turn it around and use it as a pipe for a smoke.

The bows and arrows were finished and we had to follow on the hunt. The bushman stalked a gazelle with us in the line-up. And when he spotted it, he eagerly hushed-hushed shuffed us into position to aim our bows and, LET GO ! From the three bows shooting, one arrow actually reached target. The others were closeby.

We all thoroughly enjoyed! Just like kids. And the bushmen were all smiles and "Katja!"