Manyana Rock Paintings
Kweneng
The Manyana Rock Paintings are a significant collection of ancient rock art located on five cliff faces around the Kolobeng hills near the village of Manyana in Botswana's Kweneng district. Created between 1100 AD and 1700 AD by the Khoikhoi or San people, these paintings depict mammals, plants, and abstract shapes, often illustrating animals sideways with two legs, while human figures mostly face forward. The art is believed to have been produced by witch doctors as part of spiritual rituals aimed at connecting with ancestral spirits, using ink made from a mixture of soft rocks like bauxite and animal body fluids. The site covers approximately 750 meters along the base of the hills at about 1,200 meters above sea level. Due to natural weathering, many paintings have faded, leading to a decline in tourism. The site is fenced and protected as a National Monument. Archaeological excavations have uncovered over 7,000 Later Stone Age artifacts and evidence of early Iron Age contact, highlighting the area's long human occupation and cultural significance. The nearby Mmasechele Cave also holds historical importance as a refuge during the 1852 Battle of Dimawe, linking the site to significant local history.
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Astuce: Visitors should plan their visit during the dry season for better visibility of the rock paintings, as weathering has faded many artworks. It is advisable to book guided tours in advance to gain deeper insights into the cultural and spiritual significance of the site. Entrance fees may offer discounts for students or groups. Respect for the protected status of the area is essential to preserve the paintings for future generations.
Faits intéressants
- •The paintings include depictions of mammals such as giraffes, gemsbok, kudus, rhinoceros, and zebras, as well as abstract shapes and medicinal herbs.
- •The ink used for the paintings was made by mixing soft rocks like bauxite with animal body fluids such as blood.
- •The highest and clearest paintings include four yellow giraffes located 2.4 to 3.0 meters above the ground.
- •Manyana Rock Paintings are the only rock paintings in southeast Botswana that have been excavated archaeologically.
- •Over 7,000 Later Stone Age artifacts were discovered at the site, including scrapers, grindstones, and quartz slivers.
Histoire
The Manyana Rock Paintings site was created between 1100 AD and 1700 AD by the Khoikhoi or San people.
Archaeological evidence shows the area was occupied from the 1st to the 8th century during the Later Stone Age, with Iron Age pottery indicating contact with herders between the 10th and 13th centuries.
The site gained further historical relevance in 1852 during the Battle of Dimawe, when Mmasechele Cave served as a refuge for the family of Kgosi Sechele I.
Today, the site is protected as a National Monument, preserving its cultural and historical legacy.
Guide du lieu
Rock Painting Panels1100-1700 AD
Five separate cliff areas along 750 meters of the Kolobeng hills base feature the rock paintings, depicting animals, humans, and abstract symbols created by Khoikhoi or San people as part of spiritual rituals.
Mmasechele Cave1852-1853
A historically significant cave near the paintings where the third wife of Kgosi Sechele I sought refuge during the 1852 Battle of Dimawe, surviving until the war ended in 1853.
