Basarwa

Basarwa is a term historically used in Botswana to refer to certain hunter-gatherer communities in southern Africa. The people more commonly identified in international scholarship as the San or Bushmen are the broader group associated with this region. Basarwa has been linked to Setswana origins and is often translated as “those who do not own cattle.” In many contexts the name is controversial and considered pejorative by some communities; many scholars and speakers prefer the designation San or the specific group names used by the communities themselves.

Linguistically, San languages belong to the Khoisan language family and are notable for click consonants. Traditionally, Basarwa or San groups live in small, mobile bands and subsist through hunting, gathering, and fishing, with extensive ecological knowledge of plants, animals, and seasonal cycles. Social organization is commonly described as egalitarian within bands, with leadership emerging situationally and networks that extend beyond immediate groups.

In contemporary times Basarwa/San peoples face ongoing challenges including marginalization and disputes over land and resources. In Botswana and Namibia, issues related to protected areas, such as game reserves, and displacement have affected some communities. Governments, NGOs, and advocacy groups work on a combination of land rights, bilingual education, health programs, and preservation of traditional knowledge, while many communities pursue livelihoods that blend traditional practices with modern opportunities.