Unearth the captivating Lowveld stories of the San people, the original storytellers, depicted in ancient rock art, and join the preservation efforts to safeguard our rich cultural heritage for future generations.
One thing everyone will agree on, is that the Lowveld is filled with wonderful local stories, new and old. Stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Stories of the ways of life that lead us all here. Stories that our forefathers held so dear. Stories of people, and places and things. The original Lowveld socials and the joy that it brings. Stories told of dancing around the fire, Captivating stories that were made to inspire. Lowveld stories that we all admire.
Ever wonder where it all began? Who the original storytellers of the Lowveld were? What the region must’ve looked like hundreds or even thousands of years ago?
Evidence found over time proves that the San people have lived in South Africa for at least 20 000 years, and with San art spread out across rockfaces all over the Lowveld, even certain residential areas, it becomes clear that they were the original storytellers of our beautiful Lowveld region.
Taking a deeper look into this ancient culture, we find that the San people were hunter-gatherers who had a profound understanding for their natural surroundings. Attuned to nature, they also had a great understanding of the night sky, using the stars to navigate, to track the seasons and even to predict the weather.
They had a deep spiritual connection with the land, believing that the animals they hunted and plants they gathered were intricately connected to their daily lives. This was often portrayed in their rock art. Examples of their art includes depictions of wildlife, hunters, and social gatherings. These paintings were not merely decorative but were used to convey tales of hunting success, spiritual encounters, and shared knowledge.
The San culture, portrayed in these paintings, stands as testament of the San’s rich storytelling tradition, each stroke of paint representing a carefully crafted tale, ensuring the preservation of their history for future generations.
This preservation effort however is often threatened by individuals engaging in the destructive acts of vandalism. It destroys treasured cultural relics and robs future generations of the opportunity to explore their ancestral heritage. This is exactly what happened in Halssnoer street, Mombela, resulting in the paintings being closed off to the public.
By recognising the importance of preserving these irreplaceable painted tales, we can protect our shared human history, encourage cross-cultural understanding, and appreciate the wealth of knowledge derived from these intricate stories.
When finding rock art, it is important to contact the nearest rock art institution or heritage authority. It is illegal for anyone to destroy, damage, excavate, alter, deface, or disturb any public rock art site.
It is our duty as locals to work together in preserving our region’s heritage. It is our duty as locals to give the next generation this advantage.
The stories of our region, as ancient as they may be, is what brings us all together; and shapes us as a community.
The Original Lowveld Storytellers
The Original Lowveld Storytellers
A Sociably origin story.
One thing everyone will agree on, is that the Lowveld is filled with wonderful local stories, new and old. Stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Ever wonder where it all began? Who the original storytellers of the Lowveld were? What the region must’ve looked like hundreds or even thousands of years ago?
Evidence found over time proves that the San people have lived in South Africa for at least 20 000 years, and with San art spread out across rockfaces all over the Lowveld, even certain residential areas, it becomes clear that they were the original storytellers of our beautiful Lowveld region.
Taking a deeper look into this ancient culture, we find that the San people were hunter-gatherers who had a profound understanding for their natural surroundings. Attuned to nature, they also had a great understanding of the night sky, using the stars to navigate, to track the seasons and even to predict the weather.
They had a deep spiritual connection with the land, believing that the animals they hunted and plants they gathered were intricately connected to their daily lives. This was often portrayed in their rock art. Examples of their art includes depictions of wildlife, hunters, and social gatherings. These paintings were not merely decorative but were used to convey tales of hunting success, spiritual encounters, and shared knowledge.
The San culture, portrayed in these paintings, stands as testament of the San’s rich storytelling tradition, each stroke of paint representing a carefully crafted tale, ensuring the preservation of their history for future generations.
This preservation effort however is often threatened by individuals engaging in the destructive acts of vandalism. It destroys treasured cultural relics and robs future generations of the opportunity to explore their ancestral heritage. This is exactly what happened in Halssnoer street, Mombela, resulting in the paintings being closed off to the public.
By recognising the importance of preserving these irreplaceable painted tales, we can protect our shared human history, encourage cross-cultural understanding, and appreciate the wealth of knowledge derived from these intricate stories.
When finding rock art, it is important to contact the nearest rock art institution or heritage authority. It is illegal for anyone to destroy, damage, excavate, alter, deface, or disturb any public rock art site.
It is our duty as locals to work together in preserving our region’s heritage. It is our duty as locals to give the next generation this advantage.
The stories of our region, as ancient as they may be, is what brings us all together; and shapes us as a community.
We love Lowveld stories ♥
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