The Ju/'hoansi San of the Kalahari

Through the power of traditional trance dancing, chief G/a’qo Kaeqce, understood the President of Namibia was intent on genocide of his people. TTF fulfilled the request of the Ju/'hoansi San chief of the San Bushmen to document the tribe's cultural traditions to pass on to future generations.  TTF's film crew documented sacred songs, dances, and traditions  to help facilitate a male initiation ceremony, including three dances that had never been seen before by Western eyes.
 

A professional photographer photographed each member of the tribe, babies and elders a like. The unedited documentation was placed in trust to the San at the National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and at the Namibia Museum in Africa. Unedited footage was sent immediately to the United Nations, alerting the organization of the San’s existence in the Kalahari and the threat to their lives. The UN blocked the President from his deadly intention, therefore saving the lives of the San community. The tribe reported the success of the male initiation ceremony – and how it contributed greatly to helping them preserve their culture and rekindle interest among San youth in learning the ways of their elders – therefore keeping the ancient traditions alive.

The TTF partnered with Springbok Films to produce Vanishing Cultures: Bushmen of the Kalahari. It became an award winning documentary, bringing international awareness of the San’s plight of facing extinction. In documenting the San and creating an everlasting experience through film, we shared their sacred teachings with the world. The film offers insight, awareness, appreciation, and understanding of an original way of being.

Image

Vanishing Cultures Documentary

Springbok Films, in association with the Tribal Trust Foundation, produced the award winning documentary Vanishing Cultures: Bushmen of the Kalahari. The film visits the troubled San community whose once thriving culture is now facing extinction.

It became an award winning documentary, bringing international awareness of the San’s plight of facing extinction.

In documenting the San and creating an everlasting experience through film, we shared their sacred teachings with the world.

The film offers insight, awareness, appreciation, and understanding of an original way of being. The Human Studies Film Archive at the Smithsonian recently accepted all of our footage and photographs from our cultural preservation initiatives into their permanent collection.

Learn more: Kalahari Peoples Fund

Note: On behalf of the Tribal Trust, Barbara Savage traveled to Botswana and Namibia at the request of the San and various NGOs. She interviewed game wardens, lawyers and activists to understand the immediate crisis. A lawsuit was filed and in 2006 the Botswana High Court judges awarded the former occupants of the game reserve the right to reoccupation as well as the right to hunt in the reserve. As of today, the government of Botswana has not implemented the decisions that had been reached.

Image

The Ju/'hoansi San Gallery by Gregory Ross

Click the image above to view the gallery.
Image

 "Have camera, will travel. My passion for documenting and telling real life stories through my images of people, issues, and unique places has taken me around the world on assignment. With 'boots on the ground' experience - getting to the heart of a story, analyzing working parameters, hands on interface with assignment editors, writers, and government officials - I specifically understand the interface that photographers deal with on a daily basis both home and abroad."