digital photograph(colour)
- Museum number
- 2013,2034.13277
- Description
-
Digital photograph (colour); view of engraved rock art showing two parallel lines of cupules on a boulder on the ground, some containing pebbles (mancala board?). Lewa Downs Conservancy, Kenya.
Born digital
- Production date
- 13 March 2012
- Dimensions
-
File size: 57.10 megabytes
-
Resolution: 300 dots per inch
- Curator's comments
- The Laikipia area contains both rock paintings and engraved cupules. The cupules here may have been used for playing Bao, the local variant of the mancala board game, but this may not be their originally intended use.
Many paintings in the area appear to correspond to the tradition of rock painting by initiated men from Maa- speaking societies during meat feasting activities. Traditionally, Samburu and Maasai men may not eat meat in their home compounds and so cook and eat livestock together, some distance away, often at rock shelter sites. During this time they may mark the shelter walls with images reflecting animal brand marks or clan symbols. It is unknown whether the images at this site correspond to this tradition. Other motifs, particularly concentric circles, may be the worth of Batwa (hunter-gatherer peoples).
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 2013
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- 2013,2034.13277
- Additional IDs
-
Previous owner/ex-collection number: KENLAI0150045 (TARA number)