Rock Art

Africa has many of the finest ancient rock art in the world. It is unclear to the Western culture what the art represented. Some believe it tells stories of hunting, and some believe that the Sans painted whatever they wanted like fights, dances, mythical figures, or whatever else they could think of. After looking at the rock art closely, people came up with theories that the art depicts trance visions that shaman have.

 

"A long, long time ago, we, the Bushmen, roamed these mountains, masters of the unpredictable ways of nature. We were nomads then, moving with the great herds of game and the changing of seasons. When the animals migrated we followed, leaving no houses or roads to mark our presence here. All we left behind was our story painted in the rock, in the shelters, the story of sacred animals and our journeys to the spirit world. These mountains once gave us shelter and the herds of antelope gave sustenance, and meaning to our lives. Especially the eland, for it is the animal of the greatest spiritual power. For us, it is the animal of well being and healing, of beauty and peace and plenty. The eland could take us on journeys to the world beyond and connect us to God."

http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/south_africa/san_rock_art_film.php

http://www.theartofafrica.co.za/serv/meanings.jsp

http://www.drakensberg-tourism.com/bushman-rock-art.html