Wooden products

The varied woods of the Kalahari are used to carve all kinds of utensils and objects.

FIRE SPOON

Carved from wood, the fire spoon is used when cooking to arrange the charcoal and to move food in and out. The San traditionally roast all their food in charcoal, even today preferring this way of cooking. However, a larger part of their diet is now mealie meal porridge, which cannot be cooked in the charcoal. Meat and melon, when available, are still roasted this way.

SPOONS, CUPS, PLATES

These carvings are daily utensils used for eating and drinking.

MORTAR

The mortar is used for pounding meat, roots and seeds. There is the plain mortar and a slightly different version strengthened with a layer of leather. Sometimes we find a stone cut into the wood at the bottom of the mortar to give it weight. Normally the mortar is cut from Perdipis trees and the pestle is cut from Bosicia Albitrunca trees.

KNIFE

The blade is made from iron, which is heated and patiently forged into the right shape, and then burned into the handle. The San use this knife for many purposes, like slaughtering and skinning animals, working leather and cooking.

STICKS, SPEARS, CATAPULTS AND CLUBS

While in the field, these wooden objects are used for support, digging and chasing away animals. Sticks and clubs often have carvings and burnt patterns in them for decoration. Many of these have, in fact, been used before being sold to us. Initiation sticks are used for eating by girls who have become women. After having her first period, it is time for celebration. For three days the women are secluded in a hut and are not allowed to touch food with their hands. After this, the mothers of those women will proudly wear these sticks.

CARVED OBJECTS

Besides utensils, all kinds of objects are shaped out of wood. Many of them, in the shape of birds and other animals, are cut out of soft wood.

POISON CONTAINER

The container is used to store the deadly poison for hunting, when it is placed safely in the sand. The container is carved from wood and covered with a leather lid.