Unusual and uncommon motifs at eMkhobeni Shelter, in the foothills of the northern uKhahlamba-Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal, look like Bushman hunter-gatherer paintings. However, amidst the many images at this site are motifs that apparently allude to a historic cultural practice of Bantu-speaking agriculturists - the widely performed first-fruits festival, as well as to Nguni rain-making practices. These motifs include the slaughter of a bull with an axe, depictions of figures wearing items of Nguni clothing, figures driving black-painted cattle and a black sheep. The motifs are understood here as symbols of fertility, especially rain-making, that the eMkhobeni painters (argued to be Bushman hunter-gatherers living alongside agriculturists) incorporated into their repertoire. The creation on the rock face of signal moments from first fruit ceremonies and the painting of black cattle and sheep may be understood as a way of strengthening Bushman hunter-gatherer control over fertility and rain-making. It is argued that the imagery validated the social and economic position of local Bushman hunter-gatherer groups and their ritual practitioners, especially in the eyes of their agriculturist neighbours.

Tuesday, February 9 at 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

If you would like dinner afterwards (own expense) please contact Gavin Whitelaw on(033) 345 1404 or email gwhitelaw@nmsa.org.za