Bows and arrows

The San hunt by using a handbow and arrows with poisoned heads. After carefully stalking the animal whose tracks they have been following, they prepare to shoot once within shooting range. After hitting the animal, the narrow shaft falls on the ground but the poisoned head remains in the wound, thus slowly sedating the animal. The poison penetrates through the blood system and the time needed to sedate the animal varies with the place where it was hit and the size of the animal.

Sometimes it takes days of tracking before the animal collapses. Once the animal starts to weaken it can be approached, and further suffering is stopped by using spears for a final blow. This way, San can successfully hunt any animal, no matter how large.

HUNTING SET

The set consists of a skin bag made of any smooth animal skin available at the time. Springbok and impala are very often used. The bags sometimes have some fur left on for decoration. Inside the bag is a quiver, which holds metal pointed arrows with detachable heads. Included in the bag are a digging stick (for digging up roots and tubers) and a spear, as well as a set of two sticks to make fire. This is done by rubbing one piece very fast against the other, close to some dry grass.

BOW AND ARROW

This set is very much like the hunting set, but most times without the bag and the spear. Both bow and spear shaft are made from branches of the raisin bush, and have a shaped cap on both sides of thin dried skin. The same as with hunting sets and love bows, animal sinew is used to assemble the bow, the arrow and the quiver. These sets come in various sizes ranging from very large (more suitable for display) to very small (as a small gift). The smallest version is named magic bow.

LOVE BOW

The love bow is a well-decorated mini-version of the hunting set. The name stems from an old tradition whereby young men ³stalk² the women they fancy. By shooting a small harmless arrow at her, he shows his affection. If the woman then picks up the arrow, she indicates that she wishes to develop the relationship. The - very sharp - arrowheads are usually made of sharpened porcupine quill or bush thorns. The bags often have a subtle bead decoration on the bottom and at the top. Because of their beauty and their background story, lovebows make perfect gifts.