STAFF WRITER
A civic organisation from Tsholotsho has undertaken a research on the San rock art in a bid to establish ways to assist the marginalised tribe achieve cultural tourism activities.
The San community is a small group of people located in Tsholotsho.
They painted rocks to narrate their unique way of life.
Now, an organisation wants to help the San community use their paintings to promote cultural tourism.
Davy Ndlovu, director at Tsoro oTso Trust, said the research, carried by his organisation in partnership with a University in the United Kingdom-Strathclydend, will help the San trace their history.
“The San community in Tsholotsho District, in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland North Province have finally crawled out of the cocoons and remarkably opted to trace their roots and define who they are,” said Ndlovu.
“The rock art in Tsholotsho was discovered as the San and an organisation that represents them had embarked on a journey to try and trace the footsteps of the San, left behind as they traverse the landscape of Zimbabwe some hundred years ago.”
He added that the art drawings show the socio-economic way of life of the San people.
Ndlovu said: “The rock art carried elements, of San social, economic and religious life. Most importantly, San lived as hunter and gatherers and most of their drawings depict their way of life are scattered all over Zimbabwe and most notably in the Matopo Hills.
“These drawings show San men hunting various kinds of animals for their survival. He added: “The rock art depicted human activities such as hunting and dancing, while some seem to symbolize spiritual beliefs.”
Ndlovu further said cultural tourism will lead to Zimbabweans appreciating the San people.
“Cultural tourism can contributes to the recognition of the San as indigenous people in Zimbabwe and also as authors of numerous rack paints,” he said.
He went on to say the research will be shared with relevant authorities so that the San people could benefit financial from the paintings.
“The outcome of the research is to produce a whitepaper that will be shared with the Min of Tourism, Tourism Authority, ZimParks and other relevant stakeholders. We are going
to lobby for the recognition of the San as the rightful owners of the rock art and sharing of royalties’ derived from the tourist entry fees,” Ndlovu said.
