Rocks Of Our Ancestors: Respecting the Voices of the Past - Part 6 of 10 LoRaS

TEMJ 20551 - San People, Kalahari Desert, Drakensberg Mountains, Rock Art, Trance Dance, Sacred Sites, Navigation, Hunting, Stone Circles, Spiritual Connection, Ancient Traditions, South Africa

Greetings Fellow Earthmonks,

Welcome to the Earthmonk Journal, your passport to the extraordinary stories of people and places. In each edition of The Earthmonk journal we will explore nature's wisdom and it’s wonders! 

Join me as we traverse landscapes of discovery, guided by curiosity, and fueled by passion for the wild.  So grab your metaphorical backpack and embark on an unforgettable adventure with me. 

‘The Language of Rocks and Stones’ 

Welcome to a new and enlightening journey within the Earthmonk Journal. Over the coming weeks and months, we will explore a ten-part series entitled "The Language of Rocks and Stones." This series delves into the rich and profound relationships that indigenous peoples around the world have with the geological features of their homelands. 

In "The Language of Rocks and Stones," series we will travel across continents and cultures. Each edition in the series will explore the spiritual, cultural, and ecological significance of geological formations to the indigenous peoples who revere them. We will delve into how these rocks and stones are more than mere physical entities; they are living, breathing parts of a larger cosmology, integral to ceremonies, storytelling, and the very identity of these cultures.

Throughout this 10 part series, we aim to illuminate the profound wisdom embedded in these traditions, highlighting the ways in which indigenous peoples have communicated with and interpreted their natural surroundings. We will uncover how sacred sites are chosen, how rituals and ceremonies are conducted, and how stories and legends have been passed down through generations, all centered around these magnificent geological formations.

Join us as we embark on this journey to understand the "Language of Rocks and Stones." Through the voices of elders, spiritual leaders, and cultural custodians, we will learn to see the world through the eyes of those who have long understood the sacred relationship between the earth and its inhabitants. This series is not just an exploration of geology; it is an invitation to connect more deeply with the spiritual essence of the land and to honor the ancient wisdom that continues to guide us in our stewardship of the earth.

"Within the caverns lie the whispers of our ancestors, urging us to listen with respect." - //Uruhu Xarr

South Africa, The San People

In this edition, we travel to South Africa and visit The San people. The history of the San people is a remarkable journey into the very origins of humanity, reaching back tens of thousands of years. Often referred to as the first people of Southern Africa, the San, also known as the Bushmen (according to Dutch nomenclature), are among the oldest continuous cultures on Earth. Their story is not just one of survival in the harsh landscapes of the Kalahari Desert and beyond but of profound cultural richness, spiritual depth, and a connection to the land that has endured for millennia.

The San are believed to be direct descendants of some of the earliest Homo sapiens, with genetic studies suggesting that their ancestors have lived in Southern Africa for at least 20,000 years, and possibly much longer. The unique DNA of the San has provided extraordinary insights into human prehistory, revealing that they possess some of the most ancient genetic lineages in existence. These lineages split from other human populations tens of thousands of years ago, making the San a living link to our shared human ancestry.