A San behind the lens
Dam Komste from the San community of Xai Xai village in Botswana, introduces us to his home and community.
Introducing Dam Komtsae
I am Dam Komtsae, a member of the San community living in the Kalahari Desert.
Dam with the Camera (2021) by Daniel MyburgProject FUEL
It’s my first time ever holding a camera. Living in the vast desert, we’re naturally distanced from many technological advancements.
Picture by a San (2021) by Tessa BarlinProject FUEL
This is the first photo I took. It’s of Tessa Barlin, the photography director. She told me I did a good job.
Let her Decide (2021) by Daniel MyburgProject FUEL
I’m intrigued by the chance to see my neighborhood through a new lens, in all its magnificence. Our community has a fluid structure, shaped mostly by family ties and sustained through strong sharing and collaboration.
Despite the challenges, we remain upbeat and hopeful. Our strongest constant is our familial bonds, which help us celebrate unity and kinship. We continue to hope that future generations will inherit our ancestral knowledge and deep respect for oral traditions.
Project FUEL would like to thank the San community of Xai Xai village, Botswana for opening their hearts and home for this research.
Project FUEL documents, designs and passes on human wisdom and strengthens the wisdom of indigenous communities using art, digital media, and community outreach programmes. The arts lead the way to raise support for the challenges these communities face today, like migration, quality education and access to basic amenities like water and roads.
Cultural consultant: Bojosi Joster
Image Credit: Tessa Barlin and Daniel Myburg.
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