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Human Rights and NGO ‘Wrongs’: Conflict Diamonds, Culture Wars and The ‘Bushman Question’

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2011

Jacqueline Solway
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Abstract

I examine the struggle surrounding the relocations of Bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. Despite a recent court decision allowing the Bushmen to return, the ‘war of words’ continues and the Bushmen's circumstances remain inconclusive. I analyse and compare the actions of transnational and local NGOs and the Botswana state in addressing the ‘Bushman Question’ and consider the impacts of the various strategies and images deployed. The clash between essentialized views of pristine hunter-gatherers and images of Bushmen as modern citizens in the making has contributed to the problematic outcome thus far.

L'article examine le conflit qui entoure le déplacement des Bushmen de la Réserve de gibier du Kalahari central au Botswana. Malgré une décision de justice récente autorisant le retour des Bushmen, la « guerre des mots » continue et la situation des Bushmen n'est toujours pas résolue. L'article analyse et compare les actions d'ONG locales et transnationales et de l’État du Botswana face à la « question des Bushmen » et considère l'impact des diverses stratégies et images déployées. Le conflit entre des conceptions essentialisées des chasseurs-cueilleurs parfaits et des images de Bushmen citoyens modernes en devenir, a contribué à la situation problématique à laquelle on aboutit jusqu’à présent.

Type
Research Articles
Information
Africa , Volume 79 , Issue 3 , August 2009 , pp. 321 - 346
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2009

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