Microsoft Word - PhD Thesis Final.pdf - University of Limpopo ...

core 139 . From the rock art paintings in Makgabeng, it can also be deduced
that larger groups of 20 to 25 members also occurred. Family life was
simple and was adapted to their hunting and nomadic way of life. Marriages
were concluded without much ceremony and few children were born from
such marriages 140 . Their way of life militated against large numbers of
children. It can also be surmised that the death rate among children must
have been very high.
The size of the San groups was naturally determined by their nomadic life
and the fact that they lived off hunting and the gathering of food. With this
way of life, it was impossible to sustain large groups of people. The
organisation of their groups was very elementary. There was no specific
group leader or internal structure of authority 141 . The groups were not
closed. Members could leave the group at will and new members could join
it.
There was little contact and co-operation between various small San
groups, except in times of great danger 142 . In such instances they
apparently co-operated temporarily in order to deal with the situation at
hand. In the Makgabeng area, apparently there is no evidence of any large
139 H. J. Van Aswegen, History of South Africa, p. 17.
140 Ibid, p. 17.
141 H. J. Van Aswegen, History of South Africa, p. 17.
142 Ibid, p. 18.
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