Welcome to Tsum'CAT - Tsumkwe Crafts And Tours !



We, Bushmen (also called San), are the gardians of the oldest living culture worldwide.  The name of my local tribe of hunter-gatherers is Ju'/hoan.
Our lore, culture, spirituality and traditions come from the dawn of time and have (painfully) resisted the last centuries of persecution by the farmer-breeders settling on our land.  Today, Ju'/hoansi (plural) of Tsumkwe have recovered our hunting rights, meaning that our ancient way of life can be fully perpetuated !


And this is exactly what Tsum'CAT is all about :  teaching our young Ju'/hoansi our ancient traditions to keep us strong.
 
Crafting Ostrich-eggshell beads and assembling them into beautiful and meaningful headbands ;  playing the music from our Ancestors in sacred healing ceremonies ;  learning the secrets of archery, tracking and hunting ;  perpetuating our culture through storytelling ;  sewing traditional loincloth and bags ;  and much more ...


Reviving culture locally inevitably sheds light on our little village and Tsum'CAT also guides visitors on cultural tours and offers different kinds of workshops.
Are you open enough to soak this cultural gem ?

Who ?

My name is !Gamace Rabbie Naici and I am the founder and manager of Tsum'CAT.  I am a proud Ju'/hoan from Tsumkwe and the Doctor of my village (as in Traditional Medicine Man).  I am owner of (and owned by) !Xo djxani, the Elephant Dance.
Let me guide you through my village and surrounding bush.  Let me and my young students show you our craft and tell you our stories.  Let us introduce you to our people and our amazing culture.

Contact



                 

Where ?

Tsumkwe is the "capital of Bushmanland". On the North-West fringe of the Kalahari semi-desert, we can continue to live the lives that our ancestors did. The C44 road is the only access to this remote part of North-Eastern Namibia, thus preserving us from mainstream tourism and acculturation. To earn that delightful cultural shock, you would have to come here on purpose !
Once here, you can sleep at Dsxautzi camping site.

 

Help ?

Taking our Tour starts a VIRTUOUS circle :  as you show interest in our way of life, our young generation will most likely stay rather than move away.  As our ancient traditions get to be known worldwide, it strengthens them locally.

Connections

Tsum'CAT works in close collaboration with Nyae Nyae Conservancy.  If you want to discover our traditional ways of Tracking, we encourage you to get in touch with our friend Kxao's cultural school Strong STRINGS.  We also have friendly connections with the French Tracking association "Je Suis La Piste" and its founder Francis Collie.