African Culture: The Khoisan People & Their Plants

The Khoisan people—comprising the San (Bushmen) and Khoikhoi—are among the oldest known human populations on Earth. Their deep connection to the land, stars, animals, and especially plants, represents one of the most intricate and enduring relationships between people and nature on the African continent.

For millennia, the Khoisan have thrived in some of the most arid and challenging landscapes in Africa, including the Kalahari Desert and the dry plains of southern Namibia and Botswana. Their survival has relied not only on expert tracking and hunting skills but also on a sophisticated knowledge of indigenous plants for food, medicine, and spiritual practices.

Plants as Food, Medicine, and Spiritual Guides

In Khoisan culture, plants are far more than biological resources—they are seen as teachers, spiritual allies, and essential to the continuation of life. This ancient knowledge, passed down orally over generations, offers valuable insights into the ethnobotanical traditions of southern Africa.

The Khoisan use hundreds of wild plants, from edible roots and berries to pharmacologically active succulents. These plants help them navigate the harsh terrain, treat ailments, nourish the body, and connect with ancestral spirits. As modern science begins to validate many of their medicinal uses, the cultural importance of these plants remains deeply respected among Khoisan communities.

Key Functions of Plants in Khoisan Life:

• Water storage in dry seasons (e.g., cucurbit melons and tubers)
• Natural remedies for ailments such as fever, wounds, and digestive issues
• Spiritual plants used in trance dances, rituals, and communication with ancestors

The !Nara Melon (Acanthosicyos horridus)

Native to the Namib Desert, the !nara melon is a thorny, drought-resistant plant central to the diet of coastal Khoisan groups like the Topnaar people. This wild, spiny melon contains a juicy, water-rich flesh and high-protein seeds. It is one of the few indigenous fruits that can survive the arid dunes near the Skeleton Coast.

Traditionally, the melon is harvested between January and April and either eaten raw, fermented into porridge, or its seeds roasted and stored. The plant’s roots also help prevent soil erosion, making it ecologically valuable as well.

Where It Grows:

• Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namibia)
• Lower Kuiseb River area and desert plains

Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii)

One of the most internationally known plants used by the San is Hoodia gordonii, a succulent native to southern Africa. Traditionally chewed by San hunters to suppress hunger and thirst during long treks, Hoodia gained global attention in the 2000s as a natural appetite suppressant.

Despite its popularity in the weight-loss industry, many overlook its cultural and spiritual importance. For the San, Hoodia is not just a dieting aid—it is a sacred plant, harvested with care and used in specific circumstances. The commercialization of Hoodia raised ethical concerns around biopiracy and intellectual property rights of indigenous knowledge.

Where It Grows:

• Kalahari regions of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa
• Richtersveld and Succulent Karoo

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Another medicinal plant with deep roots in Khoisan knowledge is Devil’s Claw. Known for its tuberous root system and hooked fruit, it is used to treat inflammation, arthritis, back pain, and indigestion. The plant has become a major export from southern Africa, especially to European markets for use in herbal medicine.

For the San, Devil’s Claw is traditionally harvested with great care—not only for sustainability but out of respect for its healing spirit. Overharvesting and improper collection methods have led to ecological pressures, prompting conservation efforts and ethical sourcing practices that include San communities.

Where It Grows:

• Semi-arid savannahs of Namibia and Botswana
• Dry plains of the Northern Cape (South Africa)

Explore Related Blogs:

• Traditional African Plant Medicine: Ancient Remedies Still in Use
• Survival Plants of the Kalahari Desert
• Sacred Plants and Rituals in African Culture
• Namibia’s Indigenous Communities and the Desert
• How Africa’s Oldest People Use the Land Sustainably

Buchu (Agathosma species)

Buchu is a fragrant shrub native to the Western Cape of South Africa, known for its use in both Khoisan medicine and early Cape Dutch remedies. The leaves are infused into teas or poultices and used to treat urinary tract infections, colds, wounds, and inflammation.

The San and Khoikhoi people traditionally used buchu as a deodorant, insect repellent, and cleansing herb in spiritual rituals. Its strong aroma and medicinal potency have made it one of South Africa’s most sought-after exports in the herbal and pharmaceutical industries.

Where It Grows:

• Cederberg Mountains (South Africa)
• Fynbos biome of the Western Cape

Eland’s Eye (Mesembryanthemum species)

This small, flowering succulent—also known as a type of ice plant—has deep spiritual and symbolic meaning for the San. Often used in visionary trance dances, the Eland’s Eye is linked to the eland antelope, a sacred animal in San rock art and mythology.

The leaves and stems may be consumed or burned during rituals, believed to enhance one’s connection to the spiritual world. The plant’s name references the mythical “third eye” or altered perception states sought by healers during ceremonial practices.

Where It Grows:

• Dry, rocky areas of the Kalahari
• Namaqualand and southern Namibia

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)

Also known as “kougoed,” Kanna is a succulent used by the San and Khoikhoi as a mood enhancer and mild sedative. Traditionally, the plant was chewed, fermented, or smoked to relieve anxiety, hunger, and fatigue during long hunts or spiritual gatherings.

Modern studies show Kanna’s potential as an adaptogen and antidepressant. While it is now gaining popularity in alternative wellness markets, it remains an important cultural plant for the Khoisan people, used in both daily life and spiritual work.

Where It Grows:

• Arid regions of the Western and Northern Cape
• Succulent Karoo biome

Wild Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)

Known as “wild garlic” or “pink agapanthus,” this plant grows in clumps and has edible leaves and flowers. It is used medicinally to treat colds, fever, and high blood pressure, as well as in ritual bathing and cleansing ceremonies.

Its strong garlic-like smell repels insects and evil spirits in traditional belief. Today, it’s used both as a decorative garden plant and a traditional remedy throughout southern Africa.

Where It Grows:

• Eastern Cape and Lesotho highlands
• Southern African grasslands and rocky outcrops

Threats to Khoisan Plant Knowledge

Despite the richness of Khoisan ethnobotanical wisdom, this knowledge is increasingly endangered. Colonization, land displacement, and modernization have all contributed to the loss of traditional lifestyles and oral heritage.

Many of the habitats where these plants grow are under threat from overgrazing, mining, agriculture, and climate change. Additionally, commercial exploitation of plants like Hoodia and Devil’s Claw often occurs without proper benefit-sharing with Khoisan communities.

Preservation and Cultural Revival

Efforts are now underway to document, protect, and revive Khoisan plant knowledge. Community-based conservation, ethnobotanical gardens, and intellectual property protection are helping to return value to indigenous wisdom.

Organizations and elders are working to restore pride in traditional knowledge among younger generations and to ensure that plants used for healing, spirituality, and sustenance are preserved for future generations.

Ways to Support:

• Visit cultural villages and Khoisan-led botanical initiatives
• Support fair-trade and sustainably harvested plant products
• Promote education and heritage protection within indigenous communities

Explore Related Blogs:

• Africa’s Most Useful Medicinal Plants
• Traditional Healing Practices of the San
• Why the Khoisan Are the World’s Oldest Culture
• Sacred Plants in Indigenous African Ceremonies
• Ethnobotany in Southern Africa: A Cultural Treasure

The story of the Khoisan and their plants is one of survival, resilience, and profound respect for nature. Their ancient wisdom continues to inspire scientists, healers, and spiritual seekers alike—reminding us that the knowledge of the land is one of the most precious forms of heritage Africa has to offer.