The Museum

The Living Museum of the Nharo-San was initiated by the tour guide and LCFN co-founder Werner Pfeifer. It was built in cooperation with the San. The Living Museum opened in February and is run and managed independently by the San. The main focus is not so much the traditional grass huts, but rather the life of the San and their ancient hunter-gatherer culture. They present their culture dressed in historic clothes within the setting of a beautiful, reconstructed hunting village of old days. Great importance is attached to representing the old hunter-gather culture as authentically as possible.  A San clan, including kids, teenagers and adults paints an extraordinarily authentic picture of such an old hunter-gather community.
 

Three Gains

The Living Museum offers three essential advantages.

 

Firstly it is a good source of income for the San, who according to western conception live in great poverty. At the moment about 10 San live here. As we expect the museum to be economically very viable and the demand for more actors will probably arise, more San from the Gobabis region will have the opportunity to work here and thus earn a regular income.
 
Secondly the San occupy themselves with their roots again und thus prevent the loss of cultural values. In this respect the museum also functions as a school for history and culture.

 
Last but not the least the Living Museum stands for an active intercultural exchange. Within the framework to the museum a lot of people concern themselves with the San culture and start to understand what makes these special people unique! The visitors give the San self-confidence and also the youngsters develop a feeling of being proud about their ancient culture. Maybe the San will in this way be able to help themselves out of the social problems they are so perceptive to.
 

Camp site & craft shop

Next to the Living Museum are some camp sites beautifully situated directly at the Seeis Rivier (dry river bed) and within an area abundant of wildlife are available. The shady, rustic camp sites with view onto a watering place for game, Bush shower and – toilet with a view and water are hard to compete with. The San also run the camp sites, which cost 50 N$ per person and 15 N$ for a bundle of fire wood.  

The museum has a craft shop, where a lot of jewellery, tools, instruments and articles of daily use are being sold.  Only original San craft is sold here.