Session 4 – Mokotjo – Visual clues to clan identity

Описание: The COSMO-ART Conference on Rock Art
Rock Art Site Management in Southern Africa: Towards a Cosmopolitan Approach
30 Nov. – 5 Dec. 2025, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley, South Africa

Session 4 – 4 December 2025
Mabokang Mokotjo (Sehlabathebe National Park) – Visual clues to clan identity: a rock art-based investigation of San social structures in Sehlabathebe

The San, known for their nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle, are considered the earliest known inhabitants of Southern Africa, having occupied the region for over 8000 years (Prinsloo et al., 2008). Among their most enduring legacies is their rock art, scattered throughout the Maloti-Drakensberg World Heritage Site (Cornhill, 2007). However, given the absence of living San descendants connected to the Sehlabathebe National Park rock art sites (Challis), it remains challenging to correlate specific stylistic patterns, motifs, or site arrangements with individual clans. This research explores the potential of San rock art to serve as a social marker, particularly in identifying clan identities and deciphering patterns of inter-clan interaction. By examining stylistic variations, recurring symbolic motifs, and the spatial distribution of rock art across different sites within Sehlabathebe, the study seeks to uncover visual indicators that may be linked to specific clans. This analytical framework integrates art-historical methodologies with anthropological insights, drawing from cross-cultural comparisons and ethnographic analogies to enrich interpretation of the visual data. The findings of this research will not only shed light on the internal social organization of the San but also address broader questions of mobility, land use, and symbolic communication. Ultimately, this study contributes to the broader discourse on Southern African rock art and indigenous knowledge systems. It aims to enhance heritage-preservation efforts and interpretative frameworks for rock art sites across Lesotho, with a particular focus on Sehlabathebe National Park. By decoding these ancient visual texts, the research aspires to reconstruct aspects of a complex yet largely invisible San social landscape.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this talk are those of the speakers and are based on their scientific research. They do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the conference organisers.