The scientific documentation of rock art of Nigeria is well underway, as demonstrated by the Birnin Kudu Rock Art Center in Jigawa, north-western Nigeria. The center was established by Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, and is now directed by the Curator Muhammad Adam. The Center's main role is the protection and conservation of the rock paintings in this region, which is overseen by Salisu Aminu, with a dedicated staff for curation, conservation, education and management. It also concentrates its efforts on fostering a community understanding and custodianship of the rock art.
The rock art depicts various images of animals such as cattle and sheep, as well as geometric signs. The depictions are also believed to be associated with shamanic practices. Some rock art sites that were used for ritual and ancestral purposes in the past are still recognized by the community as sacred sites.
The rock art of Dutsen Mesa depicts different styles of domesticated cattle, now extinct in Nigeria. Below depictions short-horned bulls from Dutsen Murufu.
Birnin Kudu, town, Jigawa state, northern Nigeria. It lies at the intersection of roads from Kano city, Gwaram, and Ningi. It is best known as the site of Dutsen Habude, with numerous rock art shelters and caves containing Neolithic paintings of cattle (which bear strong resemblance to some found in the central Sahara) believed to be more than 2,000 years old. The rock gong is believed to have been used in ceremonies and rituals.
In this mountainous area a circular cave adorns the top of the rock, with paintings depicting cattle and geometric signs, as well as handprints.
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