Philosophy of belief among the ancient Bushmen groups in southern Africa during the Late Stone Age through rock scenes from about (10,000 BC to 500 AD)

Document Type : Brief summaries of Dissertations.

Authors

1 Institute of African Research and Studies and the Nile Basin Countries

2 Cairo University

3 African studies and research and Nile Besen Institute - Aswan University

Abstract

Abstract

The rock art in southern Africa is the main source for scientists in collecting information about the Late Stone Age and the human dynasties that lived in that period, in addition to the scientific archaeological excavations that dealt with the study of the remains of the population and documented oral accounts of the current Bushmen groups who are currently living in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia.

Certain animals were sanctified by the ancient Bushmen, and on top come a type of antelope called the Aland, which is closely related to the details of their daily lives, as it was heavily depicted in rock art.

It also comes in second place among the animals that were sanctified by the Bushmen, the honey bee, which enjoyed a distinguished position in their religious rituals. The process of collecting beeswax necessitated the practice of some ritual dances next to the bee's nests. The honey bee was also associated with the power of the shaman at some stage of its transformation into spiritual ecstasy.

Then comes the association of the lion with some religious rituals, which was linked to the practices of the malevolent shaman or the so-called evil shaman, who prevented the good shaman from exercising his duties in treating diseases or in rituals to bring rain.

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