The San (also know as the Khoisan or Khoekoen) people were the original inhabitants of parts of Southern Africa. They lived in the dyer regions, but there was always water sources and plenty of game. Xola and his family were part of such a tribe. Xola felt that he could often hear voices speaking to him in the wind that swept over the plains. This is what made him decide to help a friend and escape to the blue mountains, as there were people in the tribe who were not kind and pleasant - then to invite his family and other friends to join him.