This merely confirms that the Bushmen have a vision which transcends an earthly existence. Personal property being so scarce in Bushman society, and being neither of great nor lasting value, it is only the succession to a deceased person s interests in gift-giving partnerships which is an important matter to be settled. In order to assure the continuation of major partnerships, older Bushmen, on becoming less mobile and less productive, will gradually pass their partnerships on to their children or younger siblings. In respect of partnerships which have not been disposed of by the deceased, the deceased s children or siblings may ask the remaining partners to continue to relationship by offering them the deceased s possessions. Of the wrong-doings, the ones which are feared most, occur least, namely physical violence, the breaking of the incest taboos, flagrant adultery and theft.
Most transgressions relate to the use and distribution of the natural resources.
A transgressor of the communal law is seldom considered to be a bad person, but is rather treated as someone who erred to the detriment of the communal, including his or her own interests. As violence is greatly feared because it would be destructive of band society, every effort will be made by the band to prevent self- help, and try to resolve a conflict through talking, which in appropriate cases may take the form of public shaming and ridicule. If a conflict cannot be resolved this way and the offender is not willing to leave the band of his or her own volition, he or she will be eased out of it. However, an offender s departure could prove to be of greater harm to the band than was his or her original wrong-doing. Hence, every effort is made in band society to prevent or else channel conflict.