My Morning with the Real Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert
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Terri Wingham is the founder and CEO of A Fresh Chapter, a cancer survivor, and someone who believes that we are not defined by the most difficult aspects of our story. |
I smell them long before they step into the clearing.
Last night during their traditional dance, the smoke from the campfire helped to camouflage the intense aroma of dust intermingled with days of caked on sweat. Now in the early post dawn light, their musky, earthy scent is so thick that you can almost taste it.
We shuffle awkwardly in a silent face-off and wait for the interpreter to introduce us. As soon as he speaks, the tension dissolves and one of Bushmen erupts into giggles. Even though I cannot decipher the clicks of their language, I see looks of mutual respect and camaraderie pass between them and our guide.
One of the women steps forward and our guide explains that she would like the chance to meet each of us. As she makes her way down the line, she parrots back our name and home country while mimicking our exact tone and accent. When she finally stands in front of me, I study the deep crevices that line her face and feel the rough callouses on her palms. She grips my hand with a surprising intensity and for a moment I get lost in eyes the colour of rich coffee. (more…)
Comments (2)
Thanks Terri. I love the way you have written this story. You have let us know that this community is not suffering and in many ways they are happier than people in the western world. Too often people who have no experience with other cultures have no idea that on the surface what may look like a sad scenario may actually be the exact opposite. xo
Isabel,
Thanks so much for the comment. You couldn’t be more right. The Bushmen that I met were happier than so many people I meet in the Western World. I feel incredibly grateful that I had the chance to meet them and spend a bit of time with them. I hope you’re doing well! xo