The essence of Rock Art in Twyfelfontein

Namibia’s famous Twyfelfontein is a site of ancient rock engravings in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia. While in archaeology rock art is defined as human-made markings placed on natural stone, the rock art in Twyfelfontein tells a story much older than the oldest inhabitants of the place.

The place is home to Damara people who are one of the oldest tribal groups in the country. The Damara were only resettled in the region recently- after independence- after being pushed away by the Nama and the Herero who arrived in the area much later. On the mountainside, there is a valley called Twyfelfontein beneath the fold and domes of scorched rock. The journey is called a ‘lion man’s route because it leads to the rock art of a lion which has more meaning than the entire images combined. When Arts and Culture arrived at the site, it was necessary to take a local guide called Theopoltine Thanises who has been a guide in the area since 2013.