I went to visit the San 
people of Southern Africa
to experience their deep
connection to nature
and their ancient knowledge
of creating a sacred space
of dance, voice,
celebration and healing
for the greater good of their
people and the planet. 
Some of the people that live 
here are my family and
some are my friends.
I was given chieftainship
by the community here.
It was not evident to me
from birth that I would be
a chief, but as I grew older
and listened to how I was
taught, I knew I would 
be the chief of a nation.
Yes, I am one of the 
communities healers.
During the dances, I help 
those who are getting sick.
Beyond that, I am also 
responsible for passing along 
healing knowledge
to the children. 
As I get older, it is important
that this is transferred.
Dance is a deep 
part of our culture. 
When we partake in the dance, 
we feel extremely happy.
Some of the dances begin with
the elders and continue with
the children. It's part of 
their culture when they dance,
so when they dance
they are happy. 
We do teach our kids and
grandkids how to do it.
It's also important that they
know how to dress for the dance.
We try to pass along 
this knowledge.
Yesterday, we did a dance about
the process of healing the sick.
The dance that we did
yesterday is a dance that
sometimes lets you see God
coming down from heaven.
The way that you 
were feeling is right.
The dance that we 
did last night makes
us feel as if we are one.
It's a dance of unity.
Yesterday, we could see that 
the dance made us all one.
Even though you did not
understand our language,
you were still united.
You were singing and
clapping with us, like one.
The way that you sat, even 
though you don't understand
as a white person, 
made me very happy.
It is not just anyone 
that does the healing. 
There are specific 
men who are taught 
to heal by their fathers 
and grandfathers. 
They need to be 
strong individuals, 
people that can 
handle bad spirits.
They need to be 
able to take the
bad spirits from the sick 
and release them. 
They get this knowledge 
from their ancestors. 
When they have released them,
the healers make
a special sound.
Healers come from one 
familial lineage, yes. 
Specifically, it is our 
children that will need
to take on the knowledge.
Before he passes away, they must
learn and then once he is gone,
they will be responsible for
leading the work
and caring for those who are
undergoing the healing process.
Yes, it's true that I carry the
knowledge of many generations 
from here in the community, 
but also from my ancestors. 
Teaching the children to dance
is part of our culture.
I see this transfer happening
when I watch my son dance
like he did yesterday.
When the children leave
the village to go play with
other children, they must
proudly take their San culture
with them as they go.
The only thing I will say
is that I hope and pray
these children here will
find balance in their lives.
By this, I mean that I wish
for them to maintain 
the San cultre and
simultaneously partake 
in modern practices.
Tell him that the
reason I come here 
is because I know that
this wisdom that the San
people, the music and the
ritual that they practice
is something that
people from other cultures 
that are more modern
they dont have access to 
this kind of energy
The reason I'm here 
for myself to 
always feel that healing energy
and to be one with the 
people and with the planet
but also to try to find a way,
to hear his voice
and to learn his wisdom. 
How to share this with other 
people who dont have this. 
I know that like in Namibia
because of the history here
perhaps
people have not, 
not so many people have
come to say, listen, this
is really important!
This is more important 
then a hospital
cause the reason people
get sick is because
is because they
dont feel unity.
You know?
So this wisdom of 
unity that they have
in their dance and music
for me is very very powerful. 
