Showing 30 results

Images & Collections
Braak Fontein VI 47
Print preview
Card view Table view
29 results with digital objects Show results with digital objects
VRL LGY 003
VRL LGY 003
RARI VRL LGY 003 · Document · 10/08/1944
RARI
VRL LGY 002
VRL LGY 002
RARI VRL LGY 002 · Document · 14/08/1944
RARI
VRL CGH 009
VRL CGH 009
RARI VRL CGH 009 · Document · July 1906
RARI
VRL BDI 037
RARI VRL BDI 037 · Document · 1936
RARI
RARI LEE RSA BRK6 8
RARI LEE RSA BRK6 8
LEE LEE-RARI-LEE-RSA-BRK6-8.jpg · Item
Part of Lee, Neil
Bows and Arrows.

Different kinds of bows are depicted in San art. From curved, comparatively straight and triple curved there are a variety of bows found in rock art.Depiction of arrows, whether they be real or not (arrows of sickness) are quite common in rock art.Arrows of sickness are said to be small, invisible arrows that malevolent shamans shoot into people whom they wish to make ill.
The arrow points were traditionally made of bone and later of iron. Each point is distinctive; hunters recognise their own and others’ arrows. This is important because an animal belongs to the owner of the fatal arrow, and that person has the responsibility of distributing the meat equitably amongst all the people in the camp.
The poison for which the San are known is placed behind the point so as not to blunt it. The poison was made from snake venom, certain plants and beetle larvae. There is no known antidote, and the San are extremely careful indeed to avoid it getting into their eyes and skin. Men carry their arrows in quivers. Braak Fontein VI 47
RARI LEE RSA BRK6 4
RARI LEE RSA BRK6 4
LEE LEE-RARI-LEE-RSA-BRK6-4.jpg · Item
Part of Lee, Neil
Snakes.

Depictions of snakes are not uncommon in rock art.Often it is difficult to detect the head because the snake is entering or leaving a crack or step in the rock face. On close inspection, it is noticeable that most are not depictions of real snakes at all.
Moreover, bushman beliefs about snakes throw light on these puzzling features. It is believed that shamans used burnt snake powder to assist them in the control of their levels of trance. Like snakes, shamans go underground and then surface again when on out-of-body travel, and this probably explains why painted snakes often seem to slither in and out of the rock face. Braak Fontein VI 47
RARI LEE RSA BRK6 3
RARI LEE RSA BRK6 3
LEE LEE-RARI-LEE-RSA-BRK6-3.jpg · Item
Part of Lee, Neil
Snakes and shields.

Depictions of snakes are not uncommon in rock art.Often it is difficult to detect the head because the snake is entering or leaving a crack or step in the rock face. On close inspection, it is noticeable that most are not depictions of real snakes at all.
Moreover, bushman beliefs about snakes throw light on these puzzling features. It is believed that shamans used burnt snake powder to assist them in the control of their levels of trance. Like snakes, shamans go underground and then surface again when on out-of-body travel, and this probably explains why painted snakes often seem to slither in and out of the rock face. Braak Fontein VI 47