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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Eland and Therianthropes in Southern African Rock Art: When is a Person an Animal?
Author:Parkington, JohnISNI
Year:2003
Periodical:African Archaeological Review
Volume:20
Issue:3
Period:September
Pages:135-147
Language:English
Geographic term:Southern Africa
Subjects:San
rock art
Anthropology and Archaeology
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Architecture and the Arts
External link:https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025632817209
Abstract:The interpretation of part human part animal figures is critical to the understanding of southern African rock paintings, as is the meaning ascribed to the many depictions of eland. The conventional view is that these image patterns derive from the essentially shamanistic character of the art. Here the author argues that the conflation of human and animal is a far more pervasive component of southern African San hunter-gatherer expressive culture and relates to the central significance of hunting in organizing mananimal and malefemale relations. The eland too plays a key role in these relations. In the Western Cape rock paintings the influence of this extended hunting metaphor in informing image choice appears to be paramount. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]
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