Guest author: Roberta Eaton ~ Beliefs and myths of southern Africa – The bushmen

The bushmen are the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa where they have lived for at least 20 000 years. Their home is the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert. Historically, the bushmen lived in clans and loosely-connected family groups and spend their lives wandering in hunting parties in a continuous search for food.

The bushmen are famous for their rock art, ancient paintings and carvings depicting hunters, animals and half human half animal hybrids. Only expert bushmen artists could exercise their talent and these artists were also the invokers of spirits and the tellers of stories and tales.

God and the afterlife
The bushmen traditionally believe in a greater and a lesser Supreme Being or God.
The greater God first created himself and then the land and the food it produces, the air and water. He is generally a positive power and protects, wards off disease and teaches skills to…