We continue in the Desert of the skeletons where the Bushmen manufacture their own weapons and prepare for the hunt.
They know that during the dry season hunting is much easier than in the rainy season. Kushai, Samgao, Tuka and Bo have decided to go hunting. At this time of year, the animals all gather around the few pools that still have water, and in all likelihood they will be able to hunt something decent to eat.
Namibia is one of the African countries with the greatest variety of wildlife. In the Etosha National Park alone, the largest in the country, covering an area the size of Belgium,114 species of mammals and 340 different types of bird live.
The four Bushmen get ready for the hunt. Their most powerful weapon is to be found below ground. With the help of the metal bars they have acquired through barter with other tribes in the region, they dig holes, looking for tiny spheres which look as if they are made of ceramic. Back at the camp, the men get everything ready to concoct the potion. The first step is to scrape and then pound the seeds from the Kamungarunga tree, which grows wild here in the Kalahari desert. While Tuka prepares the arrows, Kushai will take charge of the preparation of the poison.
Each hunter carefully covers the tips of his arrows, making absolutely sure the deadly mixture does not come in contact with any cuts they may have on their bodies. If it does, it can cause severe suffering, and even death. The small metal tips are strong enough to make a small wound in the animal, and the poison will then do the rest.
Bo, who is also the shaman, scrutinises the runes, looking for good omens that the hunt will be successful, and that the spirits of the dead are with them. The wooden tips will show them the way to their prey. They must perform this ritual if they wish to have good fortune, and ward off the evil spirits. The wood says that where the sun rises, there is a group of oryx and gazelles.