Coming of age ceremonies of the San

As San community, we have many rituals marking life’s stages. For example, when a young woman menstruates for the first time, she is secluded in her hut while the tribe performs the Eland Bull Dance.

The eland holds deep spiritual meaning for the San. During a girl’s first menstruation, a special ritual takes place where San men imitate the eland bull, wearing “horns” on their heads. This elaborate dance is meant to keep the girl beautiful, peaceful, and protected from hunger and thirst throughout her life.

At the first sign of blood, the community responds swiftly. The girl is wrapped in a blanket and secluded in a hut. Elders bring her food, but no one may meet her gaze or touch her; she must not touch others or even the ground beneath her.

Meanwhile, the community prepares for the vibrant Eland Dance. Elder men hold eland horns above their heads as traditional songs are sung. It is believed that the young woman’s first menstruation carries powerful energy that could bring harm to others if contact is made.

Menstrual blood is believed to be powerful, filled with n/om. The maiden’s hut is called !kouken-ka/nein, a term that means both “trembling” and “to be ill.” Her blood is seen as potent, akin to the mystical energy associated with the “magical power of rain.”

The concepts of First and Second Creation are central to the puberty rite. A girl's first menstrual blood marks the beginning of First Creation. She is seen as holding powerful n/om or spirit. The women of the community support her through this transformative moment.

For all members of the community, a girl's first menstruation marks a return to First Creation. The dance is performed in the belief that they are being transformed into their forefathers, while also preparing for their return, because First Creation is eternal and ever-present.