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Mjukhuda |
Site 15 |
Singida Region / Singida District / Mjukhuda Division
The site is located on one of the highest outcrops on the Mjakhuda range of hills in Ilongero Division (I), near the village of Msisi. It is one of the sites briefly visited by the author in 1974 and reported in Masao 1979. It is among the more unique sites in the Mjakhuda area because not only is the subject matter more varied, but the rock shelter is painted on three different sides, a phenomenon which is rather rare.
Depicted are humans and animals. The animals, which are executed in three styles: boldly filled-in silhouettes, infilled with shading and open line profiles without infilling, include giraffes, eland, elephant and various antelopes. Two of the animals, presumably elands, are executed in the streaky style whereby the body is infilled in streaked line patterns. These two animals are also depicted without their heads, a style, which has been found in other sites not only in Singida, but as M.D. Leakey (1983) reports, also in the Kondoa area. I have not been able to suggest what it could symbolize, but it is hoped that further investigation will shed some light on this rather puzzling style. The human figures can be described as being semi-naturalistic, for although the element of stylisation is still very strong, an attempt has been made to draw them clad with some attire, perhaps symbolizing camouflage as utilised by the Hadza when hunting, or some sort of ceremonial or initiational dress or garb.
Scarlet red and light ocherous red pigments were used with the later overlying the former. On the basis of literal interpretation of the visual evidence, hunting and dancing seem to be the activities represented. Overall the site is still in a good state of preservation. The highest painting is 2.35m from ground level. Despite a high surface concentration of quartz chips comparable to LSA artifacts, the site does not seem stratified with archaeological deposits. It may also be of interest to note that there seems to have been a deliberate preferance to paint on the whitish part of the panel as opposed to the other portions. The white seems to be associated with evaporated salts deposited on the rock panel by rainwater.
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Mtintimo |
Site 16 |
Singida Region / Iramba District / Nduguti Division
This is a site, which is rather difficult to reach, being in the midst of Mtintimo bush. It is about 5km away from Iambi village on the right side of the footpath to Ishenga village. The site, a rock shelter with an overhang and a raised platform, is painted with animals and humans. In one scene, there is a man with arrows and some animals in the vicinity apparently symbolizing hunting. Among the animals identified, are three elands and one warthog. Two of the elands, which are very elaborately rendered in a curved line-shading motif are in a necking-like posture with one kneeling as if expressing submission or receptiveness for mating. On the whole, the animals are executed in three styles; boldly filled-in silhouettes like the eland and warthog on the lower left and right of the panel, the thick line open line profile infilled with different motifs as in the case of the eland on the right side, and the thick line profile without infilling. There is also a geometric representation looking like a complex Chinese character. It is among the sites reported by the Kohl-Larsens. The site is in a relatively good state of preservation. The highest painting, an anthropomorph with bow and arrow is 1.9m high, while the painted panel is 5m wide.
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Rock Art in Tanzania
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Tanzania Rock Art - Forward by Dr. Meave Leakey
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Overview of Tanzania Rock Art Sites
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Tanzania Conservation & Management
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