Living Heritage of San Culture in the Spotlight in Ouagadougou

Living Heritage of San Culture in the Spotlight in Ouagadougou

From May 29 to June 1, Ouagadougou will come alive: masked dances, flautist performances, artists presenting their works, and gastronomic exhibitions will celebrate San cuisine at the FESCUSAN 2025 Festival. Who are the San? The term "San" originally comes from the Khoekhoe language and was later adopted by anthropologists. However, many groups prefer their own names, such as: - Ju/’hoansi (Northern Namibia/Botswana) - !Kung or ǃXun - Nǁnǂe (South Africa) It is also important to note that the term "Bushmen" is often considered derogatory today – "San" or specific group names are more respectful. Today, the San live scattered throughout Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, often in marginalized areas. Traditionally, they were hunter-gatherers with excellent knowledge of plants, animals, and survival techniques in arid regions (e.g., the Kalahari Desert). The San are also known for their culture: - Known for rock paintings and engravings that are thousands of years old. - Socially structured in small, egalitarian groups without a central authority. - Rich oral tradition, music, and dances (e.g., the healing dance). Many San have been displaced from their ancestral lands by national parks, agriculture, or mining projects. They advocate for land rights and the protection of their culture (e.g., the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana). The San, like other indigenous peoples, suffer from alcoholism, poverty, and loss of identity due to forced assimilation, and these problems are widespread. Now they have celebrated in Burkina Faso. According to local authorities, the event embodies several important values: Preservation of identity: a bulwark against globalization; Peace and unity: San culture serves as a unifying bridge, fostering a sense of brotherhood and harmony among all; Dynamism: The cultural and creative industries will be a powerful catalyst for employment and economic growth.