Nyau and rock art in Malawi

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Nyau and rock art in Malawi
Author:	Morris, Brian
Year:	2002
Periodical:	The Society of Malawi Journal
Volume:	55
Issue:	2
Pages:	31-41
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Malawi
Subjects:	secret societies rock art
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/29779098
Abstract:	Eastern and southern African rock art exhibits three distinct painting styles: the polychromatic naturalistic art, the well-known 'bushman' paintings; the red schematic art; and the white stylized paintings that have been associated with later Bantu-speaking people and that consist of both white theriomorphic figures and paintings that are clearly associated with the Nyau (secret society) rituals. There are no naturalistic 'bushman'-type paintings to be found in Malawi of the kind associated with the San hunter-gatherers in southern Africa. However, red schematic or geometric patterns are found in rock shelters throughout Malawi. The red paintings are clearly of different periods, and indicate different hues of red and red-purple paint. These schematic paintings may be overlaid and interspersed with white stylized paintings depicting Nyau or theriomorphic figures. This is particularly so in the Dedza area, indicating a broad correlation between the white series of rock art and the areas where Nyau rites are held. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract]