Voices of the San: Living in Southern Africa Today

by Willemien le Roux (Editor), Alison White (Editor)

Over the years many books have been written about the San of southern Africa, who are widely known as the Bushmen and frequently viewed as one entity. This is the first international publication in which the San of today step forward to tell their own story in their own words. Covering eight language groups in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, young San interviewers went out into their communities and collected the thoughts and feelings, knowledge and understanding, dreams and fears, of their elders and their peers. The interviews they transcribed present the spirit of their communities and highlight the traditional differences and similarities between the groups, the shared history of suffering, and their desire and enthusiasm for life and most of all, freedom. Voices of the San provides a glimpse into the hundreds of broad, open-ended discussions held amongst the San themselves. It begins with the story of this book and is then divided into four chapters covering the themes they themselves identified as reflecting their current existence. All of this is richly and beautifully illustrated with over 300 photographs, contemporary artworks and drawings. The photographs are both historic and modern; including images from the Bleek and Lloyd Collection (late 19th century), the Duggan-Cronin Collection dating from the early 20th century and the Denver Expedition of 1925, as well as internationally known photographers such as Jens Bjerre (circa 1955), Jürgen Schadeberg (1959) and Paul Weinberg (1985- ), and the San organizations within the region.

Genres: Nonfiction

226 pages, Hardcover

First published December 29, 2004

Reviews

[Chris Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very beautiful book, full of wonderful photographs and reproductions of truly stunning artwork.
It traces the history of the different groups of the San people (bushmen), the original occupants of southern Africa, the people who lived on the land and were part of that land, living in harmony with nature, amongst the animals, without fear.
It gives a factual, historical account, but alongside this is the story told by members of today's San people, a story of loss and regret, for a life which has all but disappeared.
The words and pictures of the San people will stay with me for a very long time. These are stories which should be heard much more widely.
I borrowed the book from my local library, but I intend to purchase a copy. It's one I'd really like to have on my shelves.

[Mona Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic narrative of the San in Botswana.