When you look back, the life of the San may seem hard because the environment they once lived in would seem to render their way of life impossible to have survived for centuries. But I argue that it was their lifestyle that called for innovative and creative ways to live in what seemed to be a harsh environment, and at the same time to develop a unique relationship with the animals. One of the critical issues was water. How did the San live in an environment where water was a scarce commodity? In other literature, it is observed that the San avoided activities that would cause them to lose body moisture. In fact, they would use about 5 litres of water per day to stay alive.
Quite often, too, they lived in territories blessed with water ponds which provided seasonal surface water for them to use. The ponds also provided a marker of the extent which their territory included. Thus, water use among the San was conservative, maintaining a disciplined water use technique.
I’m a native speaker of Naro from Botswana’s Ghanzi District. I’m a defender of of Indigenous rights and a strong supporter of inclusive social policy. As a young person from a very marginalized group, I have grown to understand the importance of culture in todays society. Whereas I know that change is inevitable, without the knowledge of where you come from and ideals that you represent, can bring harm to the very fight of the right to self-determination. I support all those who advocate towards them.
