Indigenous Wisdom and Suppressed Ecologies
In southern Africa, the San and Khoe peoples have long held baboons in high regard. Known as beings who “refuse to die”, baboons were admired for their powerful resilience and ability to heal, escape danger and overcome drought and injury. San healers observed them closely, evoked their powers in rituals, and followed them to learn which plants they used to manage pain and heal, laying the foundation for their legendary knowledge of medicinal plants.
Rock art from a Drakensberg cave, depicting a disproportionately large and powerful baboon fleeing from a small horse and rider, in a 19th-century colonial-era scene. The contrast in scale is interpreted as symbolic. (Photo: Sam Challis, Rock Art Research Institute)
Green Group Simonstown 