Eland and supernatural potency

Eland with red lines and white dots. Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The San believe the eland is the animal with the most supernatural potency (called n|om by the Kalahari Ju|’hoansi, and !gi by the |xam of the Karoo). This power can be best imagined like electricity – useful to harness in the right amount, but dangerous if you receive too much. The San harness the power of the eland so that they can heal the sick.

The rock surface acted as a veil between the real and spirit worlds and that the images entering or exiting natural features in the rock surface were actually entering or exiting the spirit world. Manqindi Dyantyi, an old woman living in the former Transkei territory, whose father was the last San painter, described how the San used to touch the paintings during dances to harness the supernatural energy within them.