!Xuma
26-07-08, 09:03 PM
First, I don't claim to be very knowledgeable regarding the Bushmen. I was fortunate to grow up in a part of Namibia where the Bushmen 'roamed' freely. I was also very privileged spending amazing times with them as a child, a teenager and later in the Namibian Defense Force.
A bit of history. Recently I saw a 60 Minutes program that showed that we are ALL genetically related to the African Bushmen. South Africa is 'the cradle of mankind' - that's a place we can all call home, regardless of colour or race.
The first whites landed and settled in Southern Africa on the 6th of April 1652. The encounters with African Bushmen or the San and also the Khoi people are well recorded. I must also mention the fact that the first blacks were 'discovered' by the time Australia was founded - around 1788. In other words - first there were the Bushmen, then the Khoi, then the whites, then the blacks. The blacks were first 'discovered' further north - around Zululand. I mention these historic facts, because it is very important. As you all know - the Bushmen race is disappearing at an alarming rate. The emphasis was and is on the 'blacks' and the 'whites' in Southern African - the African Bushmen - the origin of man - the original man is forgotten. Personally and as a bow hunter - partly educated by the African Bushmen - I find this situation very desperate and sad.
I grew up in the Kavango - in a small town called Rundu. The Kavango was a black homeland, although it was part of Namibia or Southwest Africa as it was called previously. As whites we were not allowed to own land. My stepfather was involved in the development of the black languages in the area - a total of five. Again, the Bushmen were a neglected bunch - mainly because of their limited numbers and nomadic lifestyle.
The Kavango and neighbouring countries
http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k388/XXuma/Bushmen/map.jpg
Enough of the history and facts - let's get to the 'bow & arrow' part. First, and this is my opinion only. Stealth and stalking skills are the most important factors in bow hunting for the Bushmen- not size or draw weight of the bow. As you'll see, the bows and arrows of the African Bushmen will be regarded as toys in any archery store world wide.
The Bows and Arrows
The Bushmen are very small people - I mean TINY. The arrow heads are smaller than the nail on your little finger. The arrows don't have any fletching - it's a bare shaft. The reason for this is purely close range shooting. I want you to imagine the following. You're stalking a Koedoe (Kudu) - an antelope that deals daily with the best predators on this planet - the leopard, the lion, the African Wild Dog, the Hyena. You don't have a compound - you only have the best technology available. A tiny bow, with a tiny arrow (without fletching). Your only advantage is your skill - stealth.
Bushmen Hunters crossing the Botswana/Namibian border
http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k388/XXuma/Bushmen/BushmenHunters.jpg
In the pic above you'll see a leather quiver, which is not standard for the Bushmen. The round quiver is a typical Bushmen quiver. The 'long stick' is actually a spear. Within the quiver you'll find poisoned arrows and also the 'fire sticks' - for making fire. I'll write more about this equipment later.
The Arrows
The typical Bushman arrow consists out of three parts - the sharp front, bone or steel (modern), an attachment to the sharp bit which is not removable. This 'attachment' is usually a porcupine quill - which is loosely attached to the shaft of the arrow. The shaft is usually made out of 'elephant grass' or reeds - both are hollow material.
The 'sharp' part of the arrow has a tine 'broad head' - smaller that the nail on your little finger and a long shaft. The poison are attached to the shaft of the front 'sharp' bit. This part with the 'attachment' is loosely fitted into the reed shaft. There are various reasons for this 'split' arrow. When the 'sharp ' bit enters the prey, the poison starts to irritate the animal - severe itching. The animal rubs on a tree or rock - because of the tiny structure of the arrow a solid arrow would dislodge itself. The 'split' arrow allows for the shaft to drop off - leaving the 'sharp' bit inside - the more the wound is rubbed, the deeper the arrow works itself into the wound - giving the poison the necessary access.
The poison is never place on the sharp 'broadhead' part, but on the shaft. The reason for this is 'accidents' - if you're 'nicked' by one of these arrows or the kids play with it - certain death.
The arrows - look at the size of them
http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k388/XXuma/Bushmen/Arro.jpg
The bows have no set 'arrow rest' - this is your hand, which can by on any position on the bow. There's no 'knocking point' - the arrow can be place anywhere on the string. The short and long range accuracy of these Bushmen archer are amazing.
I'll write in detail about the poisons and other stuff and a later stage.
A bit of history. Recently I saw a 60 Minutes program that showed that we are ALL genetically related to the African Bushmen. South Africa is 'the cradle of mankind' - that's a place we can all call home, regardless of colour or race.
The first whites landed and settled in Southern Africa on the 6th of April 1652. The encounters with African Bushmen or the San and also the Khoi people are well recorded. I must also mention the fact that the first blacks were 'discovered' by the time Australia was founded - around 1788. In other words - first there were the Bushmen, then the Khoi, then the whites, then the blacks. The blacks were first 'discovered' further north - around Zululand. I mention these historic facts, because it is very important. As you all know - the Bushmen race is disappearing at an alarming rate. The emphasis was and is on the 'blacks' and the 'whites' in Southern African - the African Bushmen - the origin of man - the original man is forgotten. Personally and as a bow hunter - partly educated by the African Bushmen - I find this situation very desperate and sad.
I grew up in the Kavango - in a small town called Rundu. The Kavango was a black homeland, although it was part of Namibia or Southwest Africa as it was called previously. As whites we were not allowed to own land. My stepfather was involved in the development of the black languages in the area - a total of five. Again, the Bushmen were a neglected bunch - mainly because of their limited numbers and nomadic lifestyle.
The Kavango and neighbouring countries
http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k388/XXuma/Bushmen/map.jpg
Enough of the history and facts - let's get to the 'bow & arrow' part. First, and this is my opinion only. Stealth and stalking skills are the most important factors in bow hunting for the Bushmen- not size or draw weight of the bow. As you'll see, the bows and arrows of the African Bushmen will be regarded as toys in any archery store world wide.
The Bows and Arrows
The Bushmen are very small people - I mean TINY. The arrow heads are smaller than the nail on your little finger. The arrows don't have any fletching - it's a bare shaft. The reason for this is purely close range shooting. I want you to imagine the following. You're stalking a Koedoe (Kudu) - an antelope that deals daily with the best predators on this planet - the leopard, the lion, the African Wild Dog, the Hyena. You don't have a compound - you only have the best technology available. A tiny bow, with a tiny arrow (without fletching). Your only advantage is your skill - stealth.
Bushmen Hunters crossing the Botswana/Namibian border
http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k388/XXuma/Bushmen/BushmenHunters.jpg
In the pic above you'll see a leather quiver, which is not standard for the Bushmen. The round quiver is a typical Bushmen quiver. The 'long stick' is actually a spear. Within the quiver you'll find poisoned arrows and also the 'fire sticks' - for making fire. I'll write more about this equipment later.
The Arrows
The typical Bushman arrow consists out of three parts - the sharp front, bone or steel (modern), an attachment to the sharp bit which is not removable. This 'attachment' is usually a porcupine quill - which is loosely attached to the shaft of the arrow. The shaft is usually made out of 'elephant grass' or reeds - both are hollow material.
The 'sharp' part of the arrow has a tine 'broad head' - smaller that the nail on your little finger and a long shaft. The poison are attached to the shaft of the front 'sharp' bit. This part with the 'attachment' is loosely fitted into the reed shaft. There are various reasons for this 'split' arrow. When the 'sharp ' bit enters the prey, the poison starts to irritate the animal - severe itching. The animal rubs on a tree or rock - because of the tiny structure of the arrow a solid arrow would dislodge itself. The 'split' arrow allows for the shaft to drop off - leaving the 'sharp' bit inside - the more the wound is rubbed, the deeper the arrow works itself into the wound - giving the poison the necessary access.
The poison is never place on the sharp 'broadhead' part, but on the shaft. The reason for this is 'accidents' - if you're 'nicked' by one of these arrows or the kids play with it - certain death.
The arrows - look at the size of them
http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k388/XXuma/Bushmen/Arro.jpg
The bows have no set 'arrow rest' - this is your hand, which can by on any position on the bow. There's no 'knocking point' - the arrow can be place anywhere on the string. The short and long range accuracy of these Bushmen archer are amazing.
I'll write in detail about the poisons and other stuff and a later stage.