Manyana Rock Paintings, Southern District Travel Guide

The Manyana Rock Paintings, located near the village of Mmankgodi, offer a remarkable journey into Botswana's past. These ancient artworks, believed to be created by the Khoikhoi or San people between 1100 AD and 1700 AD, adorn five cliff areas around the Kolobeng hills. As you explore the site, you'll discover a variety of motifs, including animals, human figures, and geometric designs, each carrying significant cultural meaning.These paintings provide insights into the daily lives, spiritual beliefs, and interactions with the environment of the early San people. Mammals are typically portrayed sideways with only two legs, while human figures mostly face forward. It is believed that witch doctors created the paintings as part of religious activities, incorporating dancing to connect with ancestral spirits. The inks were made from mixing soft rocks like bauxite with animal body fluids.The site is fenced and protected as a National Monument. While natural weathering has caused some fading, Manyana remains a significant cultural landmark. In addition to the rock paintings, visitors can see Livingstone's Tree at the south end of the village, where the explorer David Livingstone is said to have preached. Excavations have uncovered Later Stone Age artifacts, suggesting occupation from the 1st to 8th centuries AD, and contact with Iron Age herders between the 10th and 13th centuries.