Hadzabe, Africa’s Last Hunter-Gatherers
The Hadzabe of Lake Eyasi are some of the last functional hunter-gatherers in Africa, and perhaps the world. They have lived and hunted in Tanzania for thousands of years, and witnessed the introduction of metal, agriculture, pastoralists, guns and religion. Yet today they number less than 2,000 and their existence is threatened by a lack [...]
Hadzabe, Africa’s Last Hunter-Gatherers – Pt 1
The northern tip of Lake Eyasi is home to small groups of Africa’s last functional hunter-gatherers – the Hadzabe. They live around Lake Eyasi and the Serengeti Plateau and today, number 1000-2000 – although just 300-400 still live a traditional lifestyle. They were once thought to be related to the San of southern Africa, but [...]
Hadzabe, Africa’s Last Hunter-Gatherers – Pt 2
As well as gathering food from the land, the Hadzabe hunt game – everything from small birds and rodents, to giraffes, buffalo and larger monkeys are hunted whenever an opportunity arises. Hunting is an exclusively male occupation and groups of men and boys will head out whenever they are hungry. If successful, the hunters will [...]
Hadzabe, Africa’s Last Hunter-Gatherers – Pt 3
Whilst hunting larger or faster animals such as monkeys the Hadzabe make use of a poison prepared from a plant, found some distance from the lake. The plant tissues and sap are boiled down to a paste which hardens into a solid mass. To use the poison, the Hadzabe gently soften a small piece over [...]
Hadzabe, Africa’s Last Hunter-Gatherers – Pt 4
At certain times of year, large flocks of birds gather along the shores of Lake Eyasi, including many Marabou storks. These birds are highly prized by the Hadzabe because of their fat, and the hunters will spend a considerable amount of time along the shore hunting these birds. Marabou storks on the salt and mud [...]
