Travelling to the spirit world: the purpose of the petroglyphs at Twyfelfontein in Namibia.
The shaman prepared to enter the world of the spirits by achieving a state of trance, or altered consciousness. This could be done by dancing to rhythmic clapping or chanting, hyperventilation, dehydration, sensory deprivation or intense concentration. There is no evidence that shamans used drugs or other artificial means to induce trance, although this is possible. The shaman carried out important tasks while in the spirit world, such as healing the sick, making rain, and communicating with powerful spirit forces.
Travelling to the spirit world: the purpose of the petroglyphs at Twyfelfontein in #Namibiahttps://t.co/QcsLTad7nl #Africa #archaeology pic.twitter.com/BYX0BiBQPy
— Bradshaw Foundation (@BradshawFND) May 20, 2017
Leaving the body behind
Giraffe are very common in the Twyfelfontein rock art, and characteristically shown without hooves, their legs tapering away in long thin lines. It is believed that this represents the sensation of rising up into the air, as felt by the shaman in trance. Sometimes the giraffe body is shown distorted or hollow, as the shaman feels his shape changing.
The World Heritage site of of /Ui- //aes, also known as Twyfelfontein, in Namibia.
http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/
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