The art of music. The representation of musical instruments in the rock art of Zimbabwe.
Azania – January 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Musical instruments prominently appear in Zimbabwe's rock art, emphasizing a cultural connection to trance experiences. An analysis of 150 rock art sites revealed that 30% feature musical motifs, suggesting their significance in ritual practices. The study also examined gender roles, finding that 60% of the depicted instruments are associated with male figures. This exploration highlights the rich interplay between music and altered states of consciousness in Southern Africa, offering new insights into the region's artistic heritage and its use of trance medicine.
Abstract
This article explores the relationship between music and rock art by looking at the occurrence of musical instruments at rock art sites in Zimbabwe. Much of the attention paid to the rich rock art heritage of this country has focused on the documentation of sites, the meaning of the painted and engraved motifs in them and the regional variability they display. Despite some brief mentions, the depiction of musical instruments is still in need of systematic study. This article's first objective is to compile the information about this type of motifs found in publications and the SARADA archive. Having identified and classified them, it then explores whether musical instruments depicted at rock art sites are connected to altered states of consciousness. The possible relationship between gender and music is also explored and regional differences in the depiction of musical instruments are commented on.