These migratory people do not domesticate animals or cultivate crops, even though their knowledge of both flora and fauna is vast. They made their homes in caves, under rocky overhangs or in temporary shelters. Clans and loosely connected family groups followed seasonal game migrations between mountain range and coastline. Not related to the BaNtu tribes, the San are descendants of Early Stone Age ancestors. At certain times of the year groups join for exchange of news and gifts, for marriage arrangements and for social occasions. Made up of small mobile groups, San communities comprise up to about 25 men, women and children. San people speak numerous dialects of a group of languages known for the characteristic 'clicks' that can be heard in their pronunciation, represented in writing by symbols such as ! or /.

Yet, the San have also received the attention of anthropologists and the media with their survival and hunting skills, wealth of indigenous knowledge of the flora and fauna of Southern Africa, and their rich cultural traditions.

Like the first people to inhabit other countries in the world, the San have an unfortunate history of poverty, social rejection, decline of cultural identity and the discrimination of their rights as a group. Many now accept the terms Bushmen or San. The San interpreted this as a proud and respected reference to their brave fight for freedom from domination and colonization. This term was given to the San during their long battle against the colonists.

Man of the house rain dance