Gathering Activity among the Central Kalahari San

Abstract

The Central Kalahari San have been significantly changing their traditional subsistence and way of life under the influence of the sedentarization program of the Botswana government. However, they still continue gathering activities. Firewood and Building materials are needed more than before. The purpose of this study is to analytically describe the features of present San gathering activities. San gathering activities have changed remarkably in quantity but not in quality. The frequency, time length and harvest amount have lessened but their favorite plant species, methods and group formation in gathering have not changed. Gathering is more frequently done in groups than individually for greater efficiency. The size of a group depends on the seasonal and spatial change in plant distribution, and the distance to the collecting site. The author emphasizes the significance of social interaction such as cooperation and information exchange in group gathering.