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San people Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The San People: Origins, Culture, and Contemporary Issues

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The San People: Origins, Culture, and Contemporary Issues Study Guide

Origins and Genetics

Genetic interpretations suggest the San lineage may have diverged from other humans as early as 1,000 to 2,000 years ago.

Answer: False

Explanation: Genetic studies indicate that the San lineage may have diverged from other human populations much earlier, potentially between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago.

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Evidence suggests the San are among the oldest cultures due to tools identical to modern San tools dating back to 42,000 BC.

Answer: False

Explanation: While evidence suggests the San are among the oldest cultures, the dating of tools identical to modern San tools is cited as 42,000 BC, not AD.

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Genetic studies indicate that the San carry some of the most ancient and divergent haplogroups in the human genetic tree.

Answer: False

Explanation: Genetic studies indicate that the San carry some of the most ancient and divergent haplogroups, suggesting they represent some of the earliest human lineages.

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The San people's genetic markers suggest they are descendants of populations that diverged very early in human history and migrated out of Africa.

Answer: False

Explanation: Genetic studies suggest the San are descendants of some of the earliest human populations to diverge and migrate out of Africa, not very recent migrants.

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The San play a significant role in discussions surrounding the "Out of Africa" hypothesis.

Answer: False

Explanation: The San play a significant role in discussions surrounding the "Out of Africa" hypothesis due to their genetic markers suggesting early human lineage.

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A ritual involving the worship of a python 70,000 years ago is interpreted as the world's oldest ritual, suggesting San culture is the oldest.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ritual interpreted as potentially the world's oldest, dating back 70,000 years, involved the worship of a python, not a lion.

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Certain San groups are classified as one of the 14 known extant "ancestral population clusters."

Answer: True

Explanation: Certain San groups are indeed classified as one of the 14 known extant "ancestral population clusters," signifying shared genetic ancestry and cultural similarities.

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The San's genetic markers are considered highly significant for understanding human migration patterns.

Answer: False

Explanation: The San's genetic markers are considered highly significant for understanding human migration patterns, as they represent some of the earliest human lineages.

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The San people exhibit high genetic diversity, making them crucial for understanding human origins.

Answer: False

Explanation: The San people exhibit high genetic diversity, which is considered crucial for understanding human origins and early human migrations.

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The San people's high genetic diversity makes them critically important for understanding human origins.

Answer: False

Explanation: The San people's high genetic diversity makes them critically important for understanding human origins and early human migrations out of Africa.

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What evidence suggests the San are among the oldest cultures on Earth?

Answer: Genetic divergence estimates and ancient tool discoveries

Explanation: Evidence suggesting the San are among the oldest cultures includes genetic divergence estimates and the discovery of ancient tools similar to those used by modern San.

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What do genetic studies, including Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA analyses, suggest about the San people's lineage?

Answer: They carry some of the most ancient and divergent human haplogroups.

Explanation: Genetic studies suggest the San people carry some of the most ancient and divergent human haplogroups, indicating an early divergence in human lineage.

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What do the San's genetic markers suggest about their place in human history?

Answer: They are descendants of populations that diverged very early in human history.

Explanation: The San's genetic markers suggest they are descendants of populations that diverged very early in human history, indicating their significance in understanding human origins.

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How does the San genetic diversity support the "Out of Africa" hypothesis?

Answer: It suggests they carry some of the earliest human genetic lineages originating in Africa.

Explanation: The San's genetic diversity supports the "Out of Africa" hypothesis by suggesting they carry some of the earliest human genetic lineages originating in Africa.

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What historical event is interpreted as potentially the world's oldest ritual, and what does it suggest about San culture?

Answer: A ritual involving the worship of a python 70,000 years ago.

Explanation: A ritual involving the worship of a python 70,000 years ago is interpreted as potentially the world's oldest, suggesting the San culture may be the oldest continuously practiced.

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What is the significance of classifying certain San groups as "ancestral population clusters"?

Answer: It signifies groups sharing common genetic ancestry, ethnicity, and culture.

Explanation: Classifying certain San groups as "ancestral population clusters" signifies groups sharing common genetic ancestry, ethnicity, and culture.

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What is the significance of the San's genetic markers in understanding human migration patterns out of Africa?

Answer: They suggest the San are descendants of some of the earliest human populations to diverge and migrate out of Africa.

Explanation: The San's genetic markers suggest they are descendants of some of the earliest human populations to diverge and migrate out of Africa, aiding the understanding of human migration patterns.

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What is the significance of the San's high genetic diversity in scientific research?

Answer: It is considered crucial evidence supporting the theory of human origins in Africa.

Explanation: The San's high genetic diversity is considered crucial evidence supporting the theory of human origins in Africa.

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The San's genetic makeup is significant in human origins research because it suggests they are:

Answer: Descendants of some of the earliest human populations to diverge and migrate *out* of Africa.

Explanation: The San's genetic makeup suggests they are descendants of some of the earliest human populations to diverge and migrate out of Africa, making them significant for human origins research.

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What is the significance of the San's high genetic diversity in supporting the theory of human origins?

Answer: It is considered crucial evidence supporting the theory that modern humans originated in Africa.

Explanation: The San's high genetic diversity is considered crucial evidence supporting the theory that modern humans originated in Africa.

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Historical Context and Migration

The ancestral territories of the San people were limited to modern-day Botswana and Namibia.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ancestral territories of the San people historically encompassed a broader region, including Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa.

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The Bantu expansion led to the displacement or integration of San people into Bantu-speaking groups.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Bantu expansion resulted in the displacement of San people from their ancestral lands or their integration into Bantu-speaking groups, rather than exclusive integration.

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By the end of the 18th century, European colonists generally did not treat the San with respect or offer them land ownership.

Answer: False

Explanation: European colonists, particularly by the end of the 18th century, often subjected the San to violence and forced labor, rather than treating them with respect or offering land ownership.

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Which of the following countries was NOT historically part of the San people's ancestral territories?

Answer: Kenya

Explanation: Kenya is not listed among the countries historically part of the San people's ancestral territories, which include Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa.

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How did the Bantu expansion primarily affect the San people?

Answer: It resulted in displacement from ancestral lands or integration into Bantu groups.

Explanation: The Bantu expansion primarily resulted in the displacement of San people from their ancestral lands or their integration into Bantu-speaking groups.

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What was the fate of many San people in the Cape region by the 1870s due to European colonization?

Answer: They were hunted to extinction or forced into labor.

Explanation: By the 1870s, many San in the Cape region were hunted to extinction or forced into labor due to European colonization.

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According to the text, what was the outcome for the San in the Cape region by the 1870s?

Answer: They were largely hunted to extinction.

Explanation: By the 1870s, the San in the Cape region were largely hunted to extinction.

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Traditional Culture and Society

The traditional San kinship system was based on small, mobile foraging bands.

Answer: False

Explanation: The traditional San kinship system was characterized by small, mobile foraging bands, reflecting their nomadic lifestyle.

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Leisure, conversation, and music played a significant role in traditional San society.

Answer: False

Explanation: Leisure activities, including conversation, music, and sacred dances, were highly valued and occupied significant time in traditional San society.

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The traditional San economy was based on a gift economy, not trade and monetary purchases.

Answer: False

Explanation: The traditional San economy operated as a gift economy, emphasizing regular exchanges of gifts rather than trade or monetary transactions.

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Women in traditional San society primarily focused on gathering food and sometimes participated in hunting.

Answer: False

Explanation: While women played significant roles, their primary contribution was gathering food, though they also sometimes participated in hunting.

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During droughts, the San obtained water by digging sip wells and using specialized tools.

Answer: False

Explanation: During droughts, the San utilized sip wells, digging into damp sand and using hollow grass stems to draw water.

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Traditional San governance was characterized by egalitarianism and consensus-based decision-making, with limited chief authority.

Answer: False

Explanation: Traditional San governance was egalitarian, with decisions typically made through collective consensus and hereditary chiefs holding limited authority.

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The primary subsistence strategies of the San people included hunting and gathering.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary subsistence strategies of the San people were hunting game animals and gathering plant materials.

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San hunters used bows and arrows tipped with a slow-acting poison derived from beetle larvae.

Answer: False

Explanation: San hunters utilized bows and arrows tipped with diamphotoxin, a poison derived from beetle larvae, which acted slowly.

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San rock art is considered highly significant for its historical and cultural value.

Answer: False

Explanation: San rock art is considered significant for its historical and cultural value, offering insights into symbolic meanings and ancient practices.

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The San believe a solar eclipse occurs when a crocodile devours the sun.

Answer: False

Explanation: San beliefs attribute solar eclipses to a crocodile devouring the sun, reflecting their connection to nature and mythology.

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San rock paintings exhibit similarities to Paleolithic European cave paintings, suggesting potential shared cultural or ritualistic connections.

Answer: False

Explanation: San rock paintings exhibit similarities to Paleolithic European cave paintings, suggesting potential shared cultural or ritualistic connections.

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The San are traditionally known for hunting and gathering, not for advanced agricultural techniques developed during the colonial era.

Answer: False

Explanation: The San are traditionally known for hunting and gathering, not for advanced agricultural techniques developed during the colonial era.

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What characterized the traditional San kinship system?

Answer: Similar to Inuit kinship systems, based on small, mobile foraging bands.

Explanation: The traditional San kinship system was characterized by small, mobile foraging bands, similar to Inuit kinship systems.

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In traditional San society, what was the role of leisure and social interaction?

Answer: Highly valued, with significant time for conversation, music, and dances.

Explanation: Leisure, conversation, music, and dances were highly valued and occupied significant time in traditional San society.

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What economic system characterized traditional San communities?

Answer: Gift economy with regular exchanges of gifts.

Explanation: Traditional San communities were characterized by a gift economy, involving regular exchanges of gifts.

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How did women primarily contribute to the traditional San society?

Answer: Gathering food and sometimes participating in hunting.

Explanation: Women primarily contributed to traditional San society through gathering food, and they also sometimes participated in hunting.

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What method did the San use to obtain water during dry periods?

Answer: Using sip wells and hollow grass stems.

Explanation: During dry periods, the San obtained water by using sip wells and hollow grass stems.

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What was a key characteristic of traditional San governance?

Answer: Decisions made through collective consensus with limited chief authority.

Explanation: A key characteristic of traditional San governance was decision-making through collective consensus with limited chief authority.

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What was the primary method of hunting used by the San?

Answer: Bows and arrows, often tipped with diamphotoxin.

Explanation: The primary method of hunting used by the San involved bows and arrows, often tipped with diamphotoxin.

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What is the significance of San rock art?

Answer: It offers insights into symbolic meanings and shamanic practices.

Explanation: San rock art is significant for its historical and cultural value, offering insights into symbolic meanings and shamanic practices.

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What does the San belief about a solar eclipse, where a crocodile eats the sun, reveal about their culture?

Answer: Their deep connection to the natural world and mythology.

Explanation: The San belief about a solar eclipse involving a crocodile eating the sun reveals their deep connection to the natural world and mythology.

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What similarity exists between San rock paintings and Paleolithic European cave paintings?

Answer: They share similarities suggesting potential links to shamanic rituals.

Explanation: San rock paintings share similarities with Paleolithic European cave paintings, suggesting potential links to shamanic rituals.

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What is the primary subsistence strategy of the San people, as described in the text?

Answer: Hunting game animals and gathering plant materials.

Explanation: The primary subsistence strategy of the San people involved hunting game animals and gathering plant materials.

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Terminology and Identity

The San people are also referred to by the collective term 'Khoisan'.

Answer: False

Explanation: While 'Khoisan' is a collective term that includes the San, it also refers to the Khoi people. The San do not have a single, universally accepted collective term for themselves.

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The term "San" originates from the Khoekhoe language and historically signified "foragers."

Answer: False

Explanation: The term "San" originates from the Khoekhoe language, where it historically meant "foragers" and was often used derogatorily to denote people lacking livestock.

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The San people speak languages belonging exclusively to the Khoe family.

Answer: False

Explanation: San languages are classified into several families, primarily Khoe, Tuu, and Kxʼa, reflecting their diverse linguistic heritage.

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The term "Bushmen" is derived from a 17th-century Dutch term, but it does not mean "forest dwellers."

Answer: False

Explanation: While the term "Bushmen" is derived from the 17th-century Dutch "Bosjesmans," which relates to "bush" or "forest," the precise meaning of "forest dwellers" is not explicitly confirmed as the sole meaning in the source material.

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The San people do not possess a single, universally accepted collective term for themselves across their diverse languages.

Answer: True

Explanation: The San people identify with their specific groups rather than a single, universally accepted collective term for themselves.

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The term "Khoisan" was coined by Leonhard Schulze in the 1920s and popularized by Isaac Schapera, not Laurens van der Post in the early 20th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term "Khoisan" was coined by Leonhard Schulze in the 1920s and popularized by Isaac Schapera, not Laurens van der Post.

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The !Kung, !Xam, and N!n!e are examples of specific San groups mentioned in the text.

Answer: True

Explanation: The !Kung, !Xam, and N!n!e are among the specific San groups explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

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The term "Bushmen" is not universally accepted and is considered pejorative or derogatory by many San communities.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term "Bushmen" is considered pejorative or derogatory by many San communities, although some individuals continue to self-identify with it.

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The term "Basarwa" is considered an offensive older variant of a collective term used in Botswana for the San.

Answer: False

Explanation: While "Masarwa" is considered an offensive older variant, the term "Basarwa" is used collectively in Botswana for the San, and its offensiveness is not explicitly stated as such in the provided text.

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What is another common name for the San people, besides "San"?

Answer: Bushmen

Explanation: The San people are also commonly referred to as "Bushmen."

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The term "San" originates from the Khoekhoe language and signifies what?

Answer: Foragers

Explanation: The term "San" originates from the Khoekhoe language and signifies "foragers."

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Which language families are associated with the San people's languages?

Answer: Khoe, Tuu, and Kxʼa

Explanation: San languages are associated with the Khoe, Tuu, and Kxʼa language families.

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The term "Khoisan" is a compound term referring to which two groups?

Answer: The Khoi and the San peoples.

Explanation: The term "Khoisan" is a compound term that refers collectively to the Khoi and the San peoples.

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Which of the following is mentioned as a specific San group in the text?

Answer: Gana

Explanation: Gana is mentioned as one of the specific San groups in the text.

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What is the current perception of the term "Bushmen"?

Answer: It is considered pejorative or derogatory by many, though some still self-identify with it.

Explanation: The term "Bushmen" is currently perceived as pejorative or derogatory by many, although some individuals continue to self-identify with it.

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What was the historical connotation of the term "San" when used by the Khoekhoe?

Answer: It meant "foragers" and implied poverty (lack of livestock).

Explanation: When used by the Khoekhoe, the term "San" historically meant "foragers" and implied poverty due to the lack of livestock.

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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a language family associated with the San people?

Answer: Bantu

Explanation: Bantu is not mentioned as a language family associated with the San people; their languages are associated with the Khoe, Tuu, and Kxʼa families.

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Modern Challenges and Rights

The estimated total population of San people today is approximately 500,000.

Answer: False

Explanation: The estimated total population of San people today is approximately 160,000, with significant populations concentrated in Namibia and Botswana.

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Government modernization programs since the 1950s have encouraged the San to transition away from their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

Answer: False

Explanation: Government modernization programs since the 1950s have encouraged or necessitated a transition for San communities from their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle to farming.

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The San in Botswana have experienced significant land conflicts and evictions from their ancestral lands.

Answer: False

Explanation: The San in Botswana have faced considerable ancestral land conflicts and evictions, particularly following colonization and through post-independence government policies.

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Government policies in Botswana since the 1970s have generally not favored the San people in land allocation.

Answer: False

Explanation: Government policies in Botswana since the 1970s have often resulted in the transfer of traditional San lands to other groups, rather than favoring the San in land allocation.

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The "Hoodia traditional knowledge agreement" was a 2003 pact between the San and a research council for benefit-sharing related to the Hoodia plant's medicinal use.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 2003 "Hoodia traditional knowledge agreement" was between the San and the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for benefit-sharing related to the plant's medicinal properties.

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The San and Bakgalagadi communities in Botswana have reported experiencing ethnic discrimination and exclusion from government decision-making.

Answer: True

Explanation: Both San and Bakgalagadi communities in Botswana have reported experiencing ethnic discrimination and exclusion from governmental decision-making processes.

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The San have not yet profited from the Hoodia P57 drug development, as the drug had not been legally developed or marketed.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Hoodia P57 drug had not been legally developed or marketed, meaning the San had not yet profited from the benefit-sharing agreement.

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WIMSA helped San communities negotiate benefit-sharing agreements, notably concerning the Hoodia plant.

Answer: True

Explanation: WIMSA played a role in representing San communities and assisting in negotiations, such as the benefit-sharing agreement for the Hoodia plant.

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Government-mandated modernization programs after the 1950s encouraged the San to transition away from their traditional hunting and gathering lifestyle.

Answer: False

Explanation: Government modernization programs from the 1950s onwards encouraged or necessitated a shift for San communities from hunting and gathering to farming.

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What is the estimated total population of San people today?

Answer: Approximately 160,000

Explanation: The estimated total population of San people today is approximately 160,000.

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What significant change occurred in San communities due to government modernization programs starting in the 1950s?

Answer: They transitioned to farming lifestyles.

Explanation: Government modernization programs starting in the 1950s led to San communities transitioning to farming lifestyles.

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Which of the following is a major ancestral land conflict issue faced by the San in Botswana?

Answer: Eviction from traditional lands, such as the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, often for resource extraction.

Explanation: A major ancestral land conflict issue for the San in Botswana is eviction from traditional lands, such as the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, often for resource extraction.

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How were government policies in Botswana from the 1970s onwards generally related to San land rights?

Answer: They transferred significant areas of traditional San land to other groups.

Explanation: Government policies in Botswana from the 1970s onwards generally involved the transfer of significant areas of traditional San land to other groups.

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What was the purpose of the "Hoodia traditional knowledge agreement" established in 2003?

Answer: To establish a benefit-sharing agreement for the plant's use in medicine.

Explanation: The purpose of the "Hoodia traditional knowledge agreement" was to establish a benefit-sharing agreement for the plant's use in medicine.

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What human rights concern regarding the San was identified by the U.S. Department of State in 2013?

Answer: Ongoing ethnic discrimination and exclusion from decision-making.

Explanation: The U.S. Department of State identified ongoing ethnic discrimination and exclusion from decision-making as a primary human rights concern for the San in 2013.

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What is the status of the Hoodia P57 drug development concerning the San benefit-sharing agreement?

Answer: The drug had not yet been legally developed or marketed, so the San had not yet profited.

Explanation: The Hoodia P57 drug had not yet been legally developed or marketed, meaning the San had not yet profited from the benefit-sharing agreement.

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What role did WIMSA play concerning the San communities?

Answer: It represented San communities and assisted in negotiations, like the Hoodia agreement.

Explanation: WIMSA represented San communities and assisted them in negotiations, such as the Hoodia agreement.

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What impact did government policies have on San land rights in Botswana concerning the Central Kalahari Game Reserve?

Answer: Policies led to the transfer of San land to agro-pastoralists and white settlers, causing evictions.

Explanation: Government policies in Botswana led to the transfer of San land to agro-pastoralists and white settlers, resulting in evictions from areas like the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

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Representation in Media and Arts

The San of the Kalahari were first introduced to a global audience in the 1950s through the work of Laurens van der Post.

Answer: False

Explanation: Laurens van der Post is credited with first introducing the San of the Kalahari to a global audience in the 1950s through his writings and documentaries.

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Critics have criticized Laurens van der Post's portrayal of the San for its subjective nature and lack of objective anthropological accuracy.

Answer: False

Explanation: Critics have described Laurens van der Post's portrayal of the San as subjective, characterizing them as simple "children of Nature" rather than providing objective anthropological accuracy.

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John Marshall's film "The Hunters" depicted a San group hunting a giraffe.

Answer: False

Explanation: John Marshall's film "The Hunters" depicted a giraffe hunt, not a San group's first encounter with a modern artifact.

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The film "The Gods Must Be Crazy" depicted the San's daily life with significant directorial influence on the actors.

Answer: False

Explanation: The film "The Gods Must Be Crazy" depicted the San hired as actors being instructed to exaggerate their traditional lifestyle, indicating directorial influence.

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The song "Eh Hee" by the Dave Matthews Band was inspired by the San people's ancient, wordless songs.

Answer: True

Explanation: The song "Eh Hee" by the Dave Matthews Band is an homage inspired by the San people's ancient, wordless songs.

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The film "N!ai, the Story of a !Kung Woman" documented the disruption of the !Kung San's traditional life due to forced relocation onto a reservation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The film "N!ai, the Story of a !Kung Woman" illustrated the disruption of the !Kung San's traditional life, primarily due to their forced relocation onto a reservation at Tsumkwe.

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Who is credited with first introducing the San of the Kalahari to a global audience in the 1950s?

Answer: Laurens van der Post

Explanation: Laurens van der Post is credited with first introducing the San of the Kalahari to a global audience in the 1950s.

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What criticism has been leveled against Laurens van der Post's portrayal of the San?

Answer: His portrayal was subjective and characterized them as simple "children of Nature."

Explanation: Criticism of Laurens van der Post's portrayal includes its subjectivity and characterization of the San as simple "children of Nature."

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Which film, directed by Jamie Uys, depicted a Kalahari San group's first encounter with a Coca-Cola bottle?

Answer: The Gods Must Be Crazy

Explanation: The film "The Gods Must Be Crazy," directed by Jamie Uys, depicted a Kalahari San group's first encounter with a Coca-Cola bottle.

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How has the San people's representation in media evolved?

Answer: It shifted from romanticized portrayals to more nuanced, though sometimes controversial, depictions highlighting contemporary issues.

Explanation: The representation of the San people in media has evolved from romanticized portrayals to more nuanced depictions that address contemporary issues.

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Which individual is noted for documenting the lives of the San in Namibia over 50 years, including the film "The Hunters"?

Answer: John Marshall

Explanation: John Marshall is noted for documenting the lives of the San in Namibia over 50 years, including the film "The Hunters."

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The film "N!ai, the Story of a !Kung Woman" illustrated the disruption of the !Kung San's traditional life primarily due to what?

Answer: Forced relocation onto a reservation at Tsumkwe.

Explanation: The film "N!ai, the Story of a !Kung Woman" illustrated the disruption of the !Kung San's traditional life primarily due to forced relocation onto a reservation at Tsumkwe.

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