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Part of Pager, Harald
The manner of dress is typical of that of a particular group of Bushmen described to the Missionary Ellenberger. On the other hand, all the images have antelope heads and one or two have antelope hooves. Pager classified these figures as mythical and called them antelope men. It may also be considered that these partly human, partly animal figures are representative of the bushman belief that all animals were once people.
In the centre of the scene, above the large eland, is a figure with a mask-like face and one arm, which terminates in the head of a rhebok. This figure is also something of an enigma but the mask may be representative of an actual mask, facial painting or scarification.
This frieze is worthy of close study as it includes numerous interesting little scenes painted on a much smaller scale than the main 'procession'.
Some of these are:
1. Man following animal tracks (bottom left hand corner).
2. Two men stick fighting. Each has an elaborate example of the penis additament.
3. Men using two sticks to mime the movements of an animal (in white).
4. Ales or 'flying creatures'
5. Ladder painted in black.
6. Bowman superimposed on the ladder.
7. Top right hand corner: man with carrying bag apparently milking a spotted animal. This may represent a section of the Milky Way. The Bushmen had many beliefs linked to the stars and other heavenly bodies.
8. Bottom right hand corner: A herd of rhebok in a variety of attitudes.
P13 pager F112. Sibayeni Cave I
