Rising abruptly and dramatically from the Kalahari bush—its neck-like face glowing copper in the dying sun—Tsodilo Hills captivate and mystify with an undeniable magnetic presence. There is a powerful spirituality about the hills that immediately strikes every visitor.
According to the people who live around the hills—the San, the original inhabitants, and the Hambukushu, who have periodically occupied the area for the past 200 years—Tsodilo is a sacred and mystical place where ancestral spirits dwell. In earlier times, their ancestors performed religious rituals here to seek assistance and pray for rain. They also created rock paintings, the meanings and symbolism of which remain a mystery even today.
The early Iron Age site at Tsodilo, known as Divuyu, dates from between 700 and 900 AD and reveals that Bantu-speaking people have lived at the hills for over 1,000 years. These were cattle farmers who settled on the plateau and traded copper jewelry from the Congo, seashells from the Atlantic, and glass beads from Asia—likely in exchange for specularite and furs. There was significant interaction between various groups, and the trade networks were extensive.
Rock paintings are found almost everywhere at Tsodilo, representing thousands of years of human habitation. These are among the region’s finest and most important examples of ancient art. There are approximately 4,000 rock paintings in total, including red finger paintings and geometric designs. It is widely believed that most were created by the San, with some attributed to the pastoral Khoe who later settled in the area. The red paintings were primarily made during the first millennium AD.
Tsodilo was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002 because of its exceptional historical and cultural significance.
