Experiences Heritage Experiences Bushman Rock Art
| Bushman Rock Art |
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One of the slogans for the Eastern Cape Tourism Board is 'The Land of Giants' and rightly so. Blessed with the only region that boasts the 'Big Seven', the largest elephant park in the world, Madiba, the oldest fossil to be discovered, the province with the longest stretch of coastline, it is indeed an apt name. The eScape Route has a few giants of its own including Victor Biggs and the Rock Art Centre at Old Thomas River Historical Village. To spend a few hours there and learn about the fascinating life of the Bushman, the oldest inhabitants of Southern Africa, is a stimulating experience. To then be able to view original Bushman Rock Art in the immediate area is not only a remarkable phenomenon but a privilege. What started as a childhood interest when staying with his grandfather in the Kei Valley, soon became a hobby and days were spent searching for caves and shelters. In adulthood, while farming in Matatiele this became a passion and after many years of studying the ancient culture and depicting the paintings, Victor now calls it his obsession. The Rock Art Centre has been exquisitely built and reflects the feeling of a cave. Painted entrance walls in the exact replica of an original site, give one the first taste of what is to come. Victor is a fountain of knowledge and all around the walls are photographic displays, paintings and artifacts from both the early and late Stone Age. The oldest painting in Southern Africa was discovered in Namibia and dates back 27000 years and over time the changing history is shown in the paintings by the addition of sheep and cows, men with spears and finally soldiers with guns. With such an expansive range of time, the actual art work remains similar with the same colouring and style up until fairly recently when finger painting became the norm and inferior paint was used.
Red and yellow ochre were used along with manganese oxide and charcoal for black, while white which does not preserve as well, was probably obtained from bird droppings or kaolin. Brushes were made using fibrous plants with feathers and hairs being pulled through the straws. Each shelter tells a separate story but there is always a vibrancy exhibited in the paintings with poses of running, legs stretched wide apart, running in tandem, squatting, arms stretched out behind and legs crossed and these same positions show in Bushman paintings throughout Southern Africa. Many of the pictures illustrate not only our past but also demonstrate profound religious and symbolic meanings, representing ceremonies and rituals. There are three forms of art displayed, the real world, the dream world and the spirit world. When a shaman (medicine man) painted an Eland, it was not just to pay respect to this sacred animal but also to gain strength from it by harnessing its essence. It was believed that by painting the animal, they would be able to connect to the spirit world. There are many other sacred animals such as Victor will explain the intricacies of the paintings showing the differences between the real world, the dream world and the spirit world; of ceremonies and rituals, musical instruments and daily life. In his quiet manner, he will present the history of the first inhabitants of Southern Africa, of their nomadic life, simple and living at one with nature and the richness of their ancient culture. |