The Social Influence of Change in Hunting Technique among the Central Kalahari San

Abstract

The Central Kalahari San are one of the few peoples remaining today who subsist by hunting and gathering. Under the guidance of the Botswana government, however, they have begun to live a sedentary life around the !Koi!kom borehole. Instead of traditional bows and arrows, they have adopted horses for hunting. Equestrian hunting (hunting on horse back) is more efficient and predictable than traditional bow-and-arrow hunting. The meat obtained by equestrian hunting is not shared with all member of the !Koi!kom settlement, because of the influence of trading, cash income, and the increase of the population around the !Koi!kom settlement.