Kaang's Creation: The Great Tree and the First People
The San creator god Kaang (also known as /Kaggen) created a wondrous tree whose branches stretched over the entire land. At its base he dug a hole reaching down to the underworld where people and animals lived in harmony. He led them up into the world, instructing them not to build fires. When the sun set, the people grew cold and afraid, disobeying Kaang's command. The fire frightened the animals, who fled to caves and mountains, and from that day forward humans lost the ability to communicate with animals. This myth explains the separation between humans and nature and the origin of animal w