Bushman art

February 14th, 2016

Bushman art is found throughout Southern Africa, and many examples can be seen painted on the rocks, caves, narrow passageways and overhangs,  just outside Spitzkoppe. 

Some of these 2000 to 4000-year-old prehistoric rock paintings, can still be seen. 

After their discovery and their location made public, it saw an influx of tourism in the area.  

Most, however, have been vandalised and some destroyed through time. Some pieces have removed by chiselling it from the rock face; others had been washed with water or other liquids to enhance the colouring of the now fading pictograph. 

Some have been “touched-up”, mainly to darken the image for the photographer and the exposure to the old flashbulbs had their ill effect on the already fading art. 

Lack of funding delayed the conservation of the area. The site now has a gated fence and is under the protection of the MET of Namibia with the necessary mandate to save the mountain from increasing tourism. 

The Spitzkoppe area is under the management of a woman’s cooperative who maintain campsites as it has now become a traditional mountaineering, camping and hiking destination. There are local guides who will take you on a walking tour of the Bushman art and among the remnants of this ancient volcano.