!Khwa ttu San Cultural Centre

Our day started with a group photo just outside of Cape Town where you have a clear view of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Robben Island. From there we headed up the Cape’s west coast in our luxurious vehicle, stopping at the G Adventure’s !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. What a beautiful experience! By coincidence Gilles had read the first chapter of James Michener’s book entitled The Covenant, last evening, and it spoke about the San people and the 5 clicking sounds they use from nature in their language, and how these people came to inhabit Southern Africa one hundred thousand years ago, used hollowed out Ostrich Egg shells to carry water and to make jewelry to keep babies safe, as well as the different hunting responsibilities that women had that are different from men, the tools that each use and how their society is organized around hunting Eland. We were guided through their special herb gardens and treated to a medicinal tea, which I chugged in hopes of curing my persistent cold, and explained what the different groups of plants and herbs that are used for in their society. They really exemplified that everything we need is available in nature. We enjoyed a delicious venison burger lunch and were moved by the teachings we received. I really love the unique opportunities we get to play a role in helping people rise above their circumstances by supporting local Planeterra projects. The Centre provides tailor made training for young San women and men of Southern Africa. Visits like ours help trainees gain experience with international clients while garnering support for the centre’s efforts to preserve San culture and history.Read more