The Invaluable African Hard Surfaces

African landscapes

To lovers of Science, rocks are seen as objects from which stone and concrete are obtained. From people inclined towards weather, they are seen for their impact on the climate. For the first five motions that come to mind at the mention of a rock, culture isn’t mentioned. However, this ought not to be, particularly in African society.

For centuries, rocks have stood as the pillar to many African societies, during the times of war and insurgency, without an exclusion of the times of hunger and unrest. Rocks have stood and been used as a hideout and a shield from every negative incident. In addition to this, rocks have been used as a mode of documentation as arts are made on them beyond merely carving part of it to make an object.

Indeed, the history of Africa is best told by Africans and usually, the actual history is accurately held by the affected African, persons who may be classified as indigenous to the particular land or African society. These stories live on because they are passed from generation to generation. Where a concrete evidence or structure exists, the structure is regarded as a cultural heritage and the stories attached to it are told by such earlier mentioned indigenes.

Due to the pressure of the government to internally generate revenue, these cultural heritage sites are now more popular for being tourist attraction centres where people within the particular country and beyond go for pictures and to hangout. Notwithstanding this change of purpose, the sites retain their cultural background and in fact this retention adds to the tourist attraction element.

Four major parts of Africa will be highlighted in identifying the historical rocks among the cultural heritage in some countries. These include West Africa, East Africa, South Africa and North Africa.

WESTERN AFRICA: Olumo rock of Nigeria

Olumo Rock

In the heart of Nigeria, between two towns, stands the historical rock of Olumo whose name is derived from the Yoruba sentence “Oluwa fi mò” which translates to “The Lord has ended it”. This name was chosen and imprinted on the rock for the safety sought and gotten by taking shelter in the rock during the period where Egbaland was in existence. Particularly during the war between the people of Egbaland and the people of Dahomey.

The rock has caves which served as the hiding place for the warriors. These caves were stayed in for quite a long period of time such that it had sections for cooking and sleeping. Proof of such lifestyle may be found on a trip to the rock site. It was also a site for spiritual worship where sacrifices were offered and requests made to the native gods. While this is no longer practiced following government intervention, the rock continues to be a tomb for past compound chiefs.

It shall be good to end an Olumo tale by noting that the name Abeokuta, was derived from the story of the rock. Olumo was a major factor in the naming of the Kampala city which simply means “Under the stone”.

In addition to the Olumo rock of Nigeria is the umbrella rock of Ghana.

EASTERN AFRICA: Nyero Rock painting of Uganda

Nyero Rock painting of Uganda

The rocks are located in Eastern Uganda, Kumi District. To many tourists, the rocks are merely a location where you can see a large landscape of the country; however, there are paintings that represent the life of the late indigenous and their expression of faith. The rock has 6 caves termed Nyero 1, Nyero 2, Nyero 3, Nyero 4, Nyero 5 and Nyero 6. The paintings are all done in red and white paint depicting different affairs of spirituality. Of particular spiritual importance to the indigenous Iteso people of Nyero is Nyero 3 where sacrifices are offered to the gods. Although this spiritual activity has been stopped by the government, you can still see a total of about 120 paintings on all rocks.

History has it that the Twa hunters stayed under the rock during their hunting journey. This is validated by the traditional Ugandan nature of hunter-gatherer, although most of those descendants may now be found in Congo.

Ever seen an Uganda 1000 shilling note? Have you wondered what the rock printed on it represents? Well, it represents the Nyero 3 painting which is past some bushes and rocks on the main rock.

Another East African heritage is the Gravel Tjauti of Egypt.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: The Drakensberg of South Africa 

The Drakensberg of South Africa

Located at the main hub of South Africa and quite popular for its proximity to Lesotho and recognition as a World Heritage, this rock site is so called by the ancient Zulu, the uKhahlamba. This name in Zulu translates to barrier of spears. To some, this name was given as a result of its jagged peaks and to some others, it was given due to the inhabitants of the rock.

Millennium past, the rock was home to the San hunter-gatherers who were natives of the Zulu tribe. These inhabitants made the caves into homes and survived on the plants and animals around the rock. This lifestyle was however brought to an end upon the invasion of the pastoral Nguni who came with cattles and the white settlers who came with firearms thus disrupting the initial peace of the San.

The Drakensberg simply means the Dragon’s Mountain and its a site containing different rock arts telling the stories of the inhabitants of the caves at every generation. The mountain is the main source of the Orange River, the longest river in South Africa. 

The Drakensberg is often closely linked with the existence and fall of the Zulu kingdom due to the shelter it provided and its usage as a battlefield.

The money rock or balancing rock of Zimbabwe is another cultural/historical landmark in Southern Africa.

NORTHERN AFRICA: Tabarka rocks of Tunisia

Tabarka rocks of Tunisia

These rocks are also known as Tabarka needles for their giant and extraordinary formation on the bank of the Mediterranean Sea in Northeast Tunisia. Perhaps the most surprising fact about these rocks is the cause of their formation. It has been recorded that the Tabarka rocks are formed due to the wind and water strength some generations past.

The rock may be given the nickname of the accommodating rock due to the people of different ethnicity that have resided on it at one time or another. Despite this much accommodation, however, the major inhabitant that remains priority and of more influence is the Genoese. Indeed, the Genoese castle remains on the rock.

The Genoese may trace their origin to their receipt of Tabarka as a payment for the release of a kidnapped right hand man of the then Ottoman ruler, Hayreddin Barbarossa.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, beyond man-made aspects of concrete culture, there are landmarks that form part of culture by virtue of their existence time past and the advantages that were taken of them by the people according to history. Indeed, beyond the recording of history, these hard surfaces also serve as a medium of record keeping and cultural preservation. Hence, while more attention is gotten from the tourism sector, the deep-rooted culture should not be deprived of well-deserved value.

References
  1. Roua Khlifi, ‘Tabarka: home of coral reefs and music festivals in Tunisia’s north-west’ (2017) The Arab Weekly
  2. South African History Online, ‘Drakensberg Mountain Region (Lesotho)’ https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/drakensberg-mountain-region-lesotho accessed 23 January 2025
  3. UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ‘Rock-Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula’ https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/985/ accessed 23 January 2025
  4. Mr Musinguzi, Unbelievable Discovery in Uganda (YouTube, 23 October 2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYn3WCaw0vY accessed 22 January 2025.

Written by: Fathia Abolore Yusuf 


If you like this article, please share with others
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments