Khoisan Collection

"The Hottentot Man." Khoisan man of South Africa wearing animal skin and carrying a bow and arrow
5856476 "The Hottentot Man." Khoisan man of South Africa wearing animal skin and carrying a bow and arrow.; (add.info)

A group of Khoisan people native to southwestern Africa
5312054 A group of Khoisan people native to southwestern Africa; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a group of Khoisan people native to southwestern Africa)

"The Female Hottentot with natural Apron." A Khoisan woman with elongated labia that so fascinated
5856480 "The Female Hottentot with natural Apron." A Khoisan woman with elongated labia that so fascinated the Europeans.; (add.info)

Khoisan
Trevor Cole

Costumes de Différents Pays, Hottentote, c1797. Creators: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, LF Labrousse
Costumes de Differents Pays, Hottentote, c1797

Giraffa camelopardalis (Giraffe), 1779. Creator: Robert Jacob Gordon
Giraffa camelopardalis (Giraffe), 1779

Giraffa camelopardalis (Giraffe), 1779. Creator: Robert Jacob Gordon
Giraffa camelopardalis (Giraffe), 1779

Giraffa camelopardalis (Giraffe); with left a Khoikhoi as Scale Model, 1779. Creator: Robert Jacob Gordon
Giraffa camelopardalis (Giraffe); with left a Khoikhoi as Scale Model, 1779

Apiacea or Umbeliffera, 1777-1786. Creator: Robert Jacob Gordon
Apiacea or Umbeliffera, 1777-1786. Apiaceae (Umbelliferea), root with a bird and two detailed sketches of the umbellate flower. The Khoikhoi people use the root to strengthen their wine

Khoisan hunter
Trevor Cole

San Hunter-gatherers in Africa
Carlo Kaminski

Khoikhoi man in animal skin cape, beaded loincloth, with bow and arrow
6339080 Khoikhoi man in animal skin cape, beaded loincloth, with bow and arrow by Duverger (18th-19th century); (add.info.: Khoikhoi man in animal skin cape, beaded loincloth, with bow and arrow)

Khoisan men with assagai and ax protecting women and child from a tiger (not native to South Africa)
6337422 Khoisan men with assagai and ax protecting women and child from a tiger (not native to South Africa) by Newton, Richard (1777-98) (after); (add.info)

Young Khoikhoi woman in fur cape, beaded skirt, anklets, necklaces, bracelets, earrings
6339078 Young Khoikhoi woman in fur cape, beaded skirt, anklets, necklaces, bracelets, earrings by Lisbet, L. (19th century); (add.info.: Young Khoikhoi woman in fur cape, beaded skirt, anklets)

A native of South Africa hunting a lion by luring it into a pit-fall with an animal skin on a stick
6337356 A native of South Africa hunting a lion by luring it into a pit-fall with an animal skin on a stick by English School

The Hottentot Venus, Bushman woman, from L Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes
CHT163190 The Hottentot Venus, Bushman woman, from L Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes by Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1772-1844) and Frederic Cuvier (1773-1838), 1824 (colour litho) by Last

Khoisan woman in hat, animal skin, necklace, and bracelets, and carries a bow and arrows.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from Ebenezer Siblys Universal System of Natural History, 1794

Khoisan man of South Africa wearing animal skin, beaded necklace and loincloth.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from Ebenezer Siblys Universal System of Natural History, 1794

Khoisan Natives Riding Pack Oxen In Africa In The 19Th Century. From Africa By Keith Johnston, Published 1884

Van Riebeck Entertains the Hottentots, 1909. Artist: Joseph Ratcliffe Skelton
Van Riebeck Entertains the Hottentots, 1909. In 1651 Van Riebeck (1619-1677), volunteered to undertake the command of the initial Dutch settlement in the future South Africa

Hottentot Man and Woman, South Africa
Hottentot Man and Woman from Southern Africa, north of the Cape of Good Hope. Nowadays, these people are named the Khoikhoi (or Khoi), a historical division of the Khoisan ethnic group

Khoikhois trapping antelope, South Africa, 18th century (1931). Plate taken from Historic Farms of South Africa, by Dorothea Fairbridge, published by Oxford University Press (London, 1931)

Khoikhois catching moles, South Africa, 18th century (1931). Plate taken from Historic Farms of South Africa, by Dorothea Fairbridge, published by Oxford University Press (London, 1931)

Khoikhois breaking-in oxen, South Africa, 18th century (1931). Plate taken from Historic Farms of South Africa, by Dorothea Fairbridge, published by Oxford University Press (London, 1931)

Khoikhois milking cows and making butter, South africa, 18th century (1931). Plate taken from Historic Farms of South Africa, by Dorothea Fairbridge, published by Oxford University Press (London)

Khoikhois bartering cattle, South Africa, 1931. Plate taken from Historic Farms of South Africa, by Dorothea Fairbridge, published by Oxford University Press (London, 1931)

Khoikhois spearing fish, South Africa, 1931. Plate taken from Historic Farms of South Africa, by Dorothea Fairbridge, published by Oxford University Press (London, 1931)

Khoikhoi labourers, 1931. Plate taken from Historic Farms of South Africa, by Dorothea Fairbridge, published by Oxford University Press (London, 1931)

Khoikhoi huts and kraal, South Africa, 1931. Plate taken from Historic Farms of South Africa, by Dorothea Fairbridge, published by Oxford University Press (London, 1931)

Hottentot female, 1848. A woman from the Khoikhoi ethnic group of Southern Africa, formerly referred to by Europeans as hottentots - a term now deemed offensive

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The Khoisan, also known as the San Hunter-gatherers of Africa, have a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years. In this captivating image, we see a Khoisan man from South Africa proudly adorned in animal skins, showcasing his connection to nature and their traditional way of life. In another historical depiction titled "Van Riebeck Entertains the Hottentots, " painted by Joseph Ratcliffe Skelton in 1909, we catch a glimpse into the interaction between European settlers and the indigenous Khoisan people. This painting serves as a reminder of the complex history that unfolded during colonization. A striking portrait captures the essence of a Khoisan woman wearing an intricately designed hat made from natural materials. Her animal skin attire and necklace reflect her deep-rooted ties to her ancestral traditions. The image of a skilled Khoisan hunter reminds us of their expertise in tracking game and surviving off the land. With bow and arrow in hand, he represents generations of knowledge passed down through time. Another scene showcases brave Khoisan men protecting women and children from an unexpected threat - not native to South Africa - with assagai (spear) and ax at their disposal. Their courage exemplifies their commitment to safeguarding their communities. A young Khoikhoi woman stands out with her fur cape draped over her shoulders while donning beaded skirts, anklets, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Each accessory tells its own story within this vibrant culture. We are transported back in time witnessing how natives hunted lions by luring them into pit-falls using animal skins on sticks—a testament to both resourcefulness and bravery displayed by these individuals. Amongst various depictions is one featuring an albino African man and woman—an important reminder that diversity exists within every community across our continent.