Boyd Matson | Wild Chronicles

rock art africa

The San Bushmen lived in the area of Zimbabwe, Africa that is now the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve as far back as seven thousand years ago.  They didn’t leave behind an architectural footprint of cities, or temples, or even houses to be studied by 21st century archeologists, but they did leave their mark.  More than eighty sites on the Malilangwe Reserve are living museums of San Bushmen rock art.  The animals they painted are the same ones running wild in the area today.  Brad Forchet, a ranger and guide at the Singita Pamushana Lodge, led me on a hike to see some of the paintings.

According to Brad, even though the animals are recognizable, the Bushmen weren’t painting scenes from their daily life.  Instead the artwork was done by spiritual leaders when they would go into a trance.  The scenes depict visions they had while in the trance.  Brad talks with me this week on my radio show, “National Geographic Weekend” about these African Picassos and the importance of their rock art.

We also go looking for some of the animals whose images appear on the sandstone cliffs around the Pamushana Lodge.  And just like we found the rock art on foot, we go looking for rhinos and elephants on foot.  In our interview you’ll also hear the story of how we were charged by a black rhino and lived to tell about it.  This video is from the part of our conservation about rock art.  Coming soon I’ll post the video and story of the rhino charge.

If you’re thinking about a trip to Africa and want to know more about the Singita Pamushana Lodge here’s a link to their website:

http//www.singita.com