Introduction to Drakensberg San Religion or the religious beliefs of the Drakensberg San
The San, also known as the Bushmen, possess a rich spiritual tradition centred around their deep connection to nature and the spiritual realm. Their beliefs regarding God and the divine are intricately woven into their environment and way of life. The following is an overview of the Drakensberg San religion or their religious beliefs.
God and the spiritual world
God the Creator (!Xu or !Khwa)
The San people believe in a creator deity known as!Xu or ǃKhwa. This deity is responsible for creating and controlling essential resources, such as rain and water. !Khwa is often associated with rain, which makes water a sacred element in their cosmology.
/Kaggen the Trickster Deity
/Kaggen, often depicted as a mantis, is a significant figure in San spirituality. While he is not a traditional “god” in the Western sense, /Kaggen is a mystical and transformative being with the power to shape the world. He is viewed as both a creator and a trickster, embodying dualities such as wisdom and foolishness, as well as creation and chaos. Some theorists consider /Kaggen to be the San’s supreme god, while others do not.
Ancestral Spirits
The San people believe in a spiritual realm inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors. These spirits can influence the living and are often consulted for guidance or protection.
Nature and Animism
The San people view the natural world as rich in spiritual significance (animism – the belief that everything—objects, places, and animals—has its unique spirit or ‘potency’. Animals, plants, and natural phenomena such as the sun, moon, and stars are often seen as manifestations or messengers of the divine. For instance, the eland, a type of antelope, is considered sacred and symbolizes rain and fertility.
Shamanism and the Trance Dance
The San practice trance dancing, a communal ritual where shamans enter altered states of consciousness to connect with the spirit world. Shamans may communicate with divine entities during these trances, heal illnesses, or influence natural forces like rain.
Shamans enter the spirit world in San spiritual practices by connecting with a powerful animal. The eland is especially important, with its fat used symbolically in rituals. Other animals like hartebeest, giraffes and kudus can also serve as spiritual guides.
The trance dance is a key San religious ritual. Women clap and sing while men dance in a circle. While hallucinogens are not commonly used, apprentice shamans might use them first to achieve a trance state.
Belief System Characteristics
San spirituality, known as Drakensberg San Religion, emphasizes interconnectedness among humans, spirits, and the environment rather than a singular, omnipotent god. Their practical beliefs focus on survival, healing, and maintaining balance with nature.
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism—attributing human characteristics, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities—is a significant aspect of San (or Bushman) spirituality, mythology, and art. The San people’s understanding of the world is deeply symbolic and intricately connected to their environment. In their beliefs and practices, anthropomorphic representations serve as a means to connect the human and spiritual realms. Here’s how anthropomorphism is reflected in their traditions:
Deities and Mythological Figures
The San people often depict their deities and mythological beings in anthropomorphic forms, such as /Kaggen, the Mantis. /Kaggen is a central figure in San mythology and is usually portrayed as a mantis, but he can also take on human form or display human behaviours. This dual nature—being part insect and part human—reflects the San’s belief in the fluidity between the human, animal, and spiritual realms. /Kaggen is recognized as a trickster and a creator, embodying human traits such as wisdom, mischief, and fallibility.
Animals Displaying Human Traits
In their myths and rituals, the San people attribute human-like personalities and roles to animals. This is evident in stories where animals such as the eland, hare, and jackal behave, think, and speak like humans. These anthropomorphic animals often represent spiritual forces, convey moral lessons, or illustrate the interconnectedness of all life. For instance, the eland, a sacred antelope, symbolizes fertility, rain, and life. During rituals, shamans may “become” the eland through trance dances, embodying its spiritual essence.
Anthropomorphic Imagery in San Rock Art
San rock art often portrays therianthropes—figures that are part human and part animal. These hybrids commonly represent shamans in trance states, during which they transform into animals or connect with the spiritual world. Typical depictions include humans with antelope heads, bird wings, or insect-like features, symbolizing the shaman’s ability to transcend human limitations. This imagery reflects the San belief in the interconnectedness and fluid boundaries between humans, animals, and spirits.
Shamanistic Transformations during rituals
Shamans are believed to take on animal characteristics during trance dances, such as a bird’s agility or an antelope’s strength. This process is symbolic and spiritual: the shaman “becomes” the animal to access its power and interact with the spirit world. Eland is regarded as the most critical animal shamans can acquire potency to enter the spiritual world.
These transformations highlight anthropomorphism as a lived experience in San culture, not just a symbolic concept.
Nature is seen as a powerful force with human traits.
The San people perceive various natural elements, including the sun, moon, and rain, as entities possessing human-like qualities and intentions. This anthropomorphism reflects their deep spiritual connection to the natural world. For example, rain is often viewed as a spiritual being that can exhibit both generosity and wrath, depending on how humans interact with it and respect its power.
During rituals, the practice of “calling the rain” serves as a crucial demonstration of this relationship. In such rituals, the San invoke the spirit of rain, seeking its favour while simultaneously acknowledging their dependence on it for survival, agriculture, and sustenance. This illustrates not only their reverence for nature but also their understanding of the delicate balance between humans and the environment. By honouring and appealing to these natural forces, the San emphasize the importance of harmonious coexistence with the world around them.
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