!KUNG

'!Kung legend tells the story of the sacred Tsodilo Hills. A man had two wives, but loved the one more than the other which caused a quarrel. The less loved wife was jealous and hit her husband over the head causing a deep wound. When she realized what she had done, she fled to the desert. Gaoxa, the Great God, decided to turn them all into stone because there was no peace among them. The man became the largest hill, the jealous wife the smallest hill which stands alone, and the loved wife with her children became the cluster of hills in the middle. Even today the people believe there is magic powers in the hills because Gaoxa himself lives there. It is said that he created and kept his cattle, sheep, goats, and all other animals in those hills. Some say that you can even find Gaoxa's footprints in the hills.

Zhu twa si, the harmless people, is what the !Kung call themselves which is in sharp contrast to the non-San peoples whom they call zosi, meaning animals without hooves. The !Kung are the original descendants of Angola. Bantu and European peoples drove the !Kung into ore marginal areas. Some of them were taken as labourers to work on farms and in homes. Today the !Kung live in three countries: the tropical woodlands of the Cuando-Cubanga province of southeast Angola, the Kalahari Desert of northwest Botswana, and in the northeast of Namibia.

Being divided into many groups, the !Kung speak various languages: Akhoe, Kung-Ekoka, Kung-Gobabis, Kung-Tsumkwe, and Oung. Depending on their country, they also speak various second languages. In Angola the second language would be Portuguese, in Botswana it would be either Tswana or English, and in Namibia it would be Afrikaans.

In the past these people used to build simple windbreaks of saplings in a semicircle, tied together at the top and covered with grass. However, it is estimated that only a third of the total population still follow a nomadic lifestyle. Food is difficult to obtain and in the desert their basic diet consists of melons, seeds, nuts, and antelope. Renown trackers, they are in demand by commercial and government interests for bush tracking.

Marriages are normally monogamous and are arranged by senior members of the kinship group. As is the case with many other Bushmen groups, it is preferred to marry cousins. Male circumcision is no longer practised, but among the Zhu/oasi group girls still have a brief initiation. Important family events are celebrated by the exchange of ritual gifts.

Leaders are hereditary, but have limited authority. Infractions, however, are handled by districts councils or government courts.

Being very closed to Christianity, the !Kung are animists. Celestial bodies (sun, moon, and stars) are seen as divine symbols while the praying mantis is considered a divine messenger.

• Country: Angola
• Population (year): 11.5 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 84.6%
• Percent Evangelical: 8.4%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open
  
  
• Country: Botswana
• Population (year): 1.5 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 62%
• Percent Evangelical: 4.4%
• Openness to Christianity: Open
  
  
• Country: Namibia
• Population (year): 2.2 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 91%
• Percent Evangelical: 8.9%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open

'1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Pastors to population: 1 pastor for every 8 333 persons (total pastors - *6) Who is Jesus Christ to them? 10% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 10 persons (total believers - 5 000)(10%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every 8 333 persons (total churches - *6)

4. DO THEY HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

No

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Yes, there seems to be very little interest in the gospel, their nomadic lifestyle makes it difficult, and their literacy rate is very low.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: ? Radio: ? Literature: ? Video: ? Films: ?

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Their response to the gospel varies from indifferent to resistant.

8. DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE?

Yes, as only 10% of the entire population believe in Jesus as the Son of God, they are yet to hear the gospel in a clear and understandable way. Also, a church for this nomadic people is needed.