The San People’s New World
In The San People’s New World, host Simon Reeve explores the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in Botswana, a land filled with wildlife and history. He learns about the San people, who lived there for thousands of years but were forced to relocate to settlements with promises of a better life. Many San feel betrayed, believing they were pushed out for diamonds and wildlife conservation, leaving their ancestral home behind. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
Lesson Express
Q: How might the relocation of the San people to settlements affect their cultural traditions and identity over time?
A: Moving to settlements could lead to a loss of traditional practices, such as hunting and living off the land, which are central to their identity. Younger generations may adopt modern lifestyles, potentially creating a disconnect from their cultural roots and the wisdom of older generations.
Q: In what ways do the San people’s experiences reflect broader issues faced by Indigenous communities worldwide?
A: The San people’s displacement mirrors the struggles of other Indigenous communities: losing ancestral lands, facing broken promises from governments, and balancing tradition with modernization. These issues often involve conflicts over natural resources, cultural preservation, and human rights.
Q: What are some potential benefits and challenges of providing health care and education to the San people in settlements?
A: Benefits include better access to medical care and opportunities for education, which can improve quality of life and open new possibilities for the younger generation. Challenges include the difficulty of balancing these advancements with preserving cultural identity and addressing the dissatisfaction of older generations who feel uprooted.
More Like This
In Hunting and Camping in the Kalahari, host Simon Reeve camps with the San people in the Kalahari, learning their survival skills. As night falls, he tries his hand at making fire with sticks, a skill the San men have mastered. Around the campfire, one man explains how coffee helps him stay alert to listen for predators like lions, sharing a gripping story of waking up to a pride nearby. He reflects on the courage it takes to hunt, reminding Simon that providing for family is worth the risks. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In How the San Track the Wildebeest, host Simon Reeve joins tracker Twee and the hunters as they track and hunt for food. Using bows with poisoned darts, they rely on stealth, silence, and avoiding strong smells that could alert animals. After shooting a wildebeest, the group follows its tracks, showing their deep connection to the land and their expert ability to read the environment in ways most people can’t. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Can People and Wildlife Coexist? host Simon Reeve sits with Tatah, who shares his experiences living alongside elephants, including the potential dangers when they are startled or protecting their young. Despite witnessing tragic elephant encounters, he emphasizes the importance of coexistence, as people and wildlife must share the same space here. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In How Animals and Humans Coexist in the Desert, host Simon Reeve explores the Kalahari Desert with Don, a member of the San people. The Kalahari is a semi-desert and one of the largest sand basins on Earth, stretching across Africa. Despite its tough environment, animals like elephants, lions and jackals thrive here, thanks to seasonal rains that bring food. The San have lived here for thousands of years and are known for their incredible survival and tracking skills, and deep knowledge of the land. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Hunting and Camping in the Kalahari, host Simon Reeve camps with the San people in the Kalahari, learning their survival skills. As night falls, he tries his hand at making fire with sticks, a skill the San men have mastered. Around the campfire, one man explains how coffee helps him stay alert to listen for predators like lions, sharing a gripping story of waking up to a pride nearby. He reflects on the courage it takes to hunt, reminding Simon that providing for family is worth the risks. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In How the San Track the Wildebeest, host Simon Reeve joins tracker Twee and the hunters as they track and hunt for food. Using bows with poisoned darts, they rely on stealth, silence, and avoiding strong smells that could alert animals. After shooting a wildebeest, the group follows its tracks, showing their deep connection to the land and their expert ability to read the environment in ways most people can’t. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Can People and Wildlife Coexist? host Simon Reeve sits with Tatah, who shares his experiences living alongside elephants, including the potential dangers when they are startled or protecting their young. Despite witnessing tragic elephant encounters, he emphasizes the importance of coexistence, as people and wildlife must share the same space here. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In How Animals and Humans Coexist in the Desert, host Simon Reeve explores the Kalahari Desert with Don, a member of the San people. The Kalahari is a semi-desert and one of the largest sand basins on Earth, stretching across Africa. Despite its tough environment, animals like elephants, lions and jackals thrive here, thanks to seasonal rains that bring food. The San have lived here for thousands of years and are known for their incredible survival and tracking skills, and deep knowledge of the land. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.