Overview
This lecture discusses the challenging environmental conditions of the northern Kalahari Desert and survival strategies used by the !Kung people.
Kalahari Desert Environment
- The northern Kalahari Desert experiences highly variable wet season rainfall, ranging from 5 to 40 inches annually.
- Heavy rainfall creates temporary pools, enabling easier travel and wider food gathering.
- Excessive rains can damage or destroy staple foods, such as the mongongo nut.
- Drought years result in scarce edible plants, occurring approximately once every four years.
- Rainfall is not evenly distributed, with some areas getting double the rain of others only a few miles apart.
- Spring daytime temperatures can reach 100°F and shade is essential for relief.
Survival Strategies
- Knowing the locations of permanent water springs is crucial for survival.
- Recognizing signs like shriveled vines helps locate underground water-storing roots.
- Some tree trunks, such as mongongo and morula, contain hidden trapped water useful during dry periods.
- !Kung people rely on extensive environmental knowledge to find food and water.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Mongongo nut — A protein-rich staple food that can be destroyed by excessive rainfall or drought.
- Morula tree — A tree whose trunk can store trapped water.
- Drought — A period of very low rainfall (e.g., five inches), leading to scarcity of edible plants.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review survival strategies and ecological adaptations of the !Kung for further study.
- Prepare notes on the importance of environmental knowledge in arid regions.