Ancient Stencils From The Past
Rock Art Sites in Kenya: A Complete Guide
The value of rock art sites in Kenya is no longer just an academic concern. Today, this important memoirs enjoy both local and global appreciation. As the digital wave continues to propel us into an indeterminable realm of information and data, the unparalleled change has also compelled the need to look back into primeval relics for inspiration. One of the global responses to the intense social, environmental and technological change has been a creative explosion, not only in technology but also in the arts, as contemporary artists draw on cultures.
Rock art sites in Kenya, all from the foregone generations, are keyhole catalogs that offer glimpses of time, in ciphers, to form riddles for the imagination. Rock art, or rock paintings, are proof that early man sought to keep a record for the benefit of future ages, and left simple messages at just the right places, however vague or blurred the form and our interpretation of them. Rock art is amongst the world’s oldest surviving art, predating writing by centuries – surpassing because it offers tantalizing glimpses into early cultures and beliefs, as well as into early morality and the development of imaginative abilities. As such, rock art is irreplaceable.
The information on rock arts sites in Kenya, and Africa in general, is sparse on details, opaque in methodology, and only now and then put under the limelight which undermines the value of these gems. One of few organizations actively involved in the discovery of rock arts in Africa is Trust for African Rock Art (TARA) – an international, Nairobi-based organization committed to recording the rich rock art heritage in Africa, to making this information widely accessible and, to the extent possible, safeguarding those sites most threatened by both humans and nature. To this end, TARA works closely with UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Kenya is rich in rock art sites that offer a glimpse into the ancient cultures and artistic expressions of its early inhabitants. Most of these site features rock paintings believed to be several hundred years old, depicting human figures and animals. These rock arts sites, and unique as they are diverse, provide valuable insights into the cultural, religious, and social practices of early societies.
Index of Rock Art Sites Around Kenya
Busia County - Kakapel Rock Art, Bungoma County - Luucho Hills, Homa Bay County - Mawanga Rock Art, Kwitone Rock Art Site, Marsabit County - Marti Rock Art, Kalacha Rock Art, Turkana County - Lokori Pillar Site
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