As I was wondering down a dry river bed, (a lugga) the other day, I came across these interesting pictures, drawn on a rock… They are probably drawn by warriors, who would have used the the shade of the rocks, for a midday resting place, and traditionally they rub their finger into the red ochre in there hair, and say ‘ thank you ‘ to the rock for the shade, before they move on… Usually they would draw a warrior, or a cow, but these ones caught my eye.. The top picture shows two elephants being shot… Although they are abit washed, so slightly difficult to work out, but the top drawing theres actually bullets coming out of the gun!
The bottom one looks like his friend is holding the Elephants tail, while the other one shoots… Hope he shot his friend NOT the Elephant!
The Picture below is a warrior shooting an Antelope.. Hes out hunting with his dog!! The only strange thing is the warrior seems to be wearing a peaked cap!! I wonder who its supposed to be!?? Oh well, these are to’ keep us all on our toes ‘
I am going to be on safari with the camels for the next couple of months, with friends from all corners of the world, so you will not see a blog written by me during this time…( hopefully Stella, will keep you up to date) We will be crisscrossing the area that the Milgis Trust covers, so I should have lots of news in February! I will not be “sleeping”, in fact I am on the ‘ground’, will actually be very busy, making sure that the Milgis Trust conservation work is making a difference… Not only what I see, but also what I hear… I will be looking with my eyes, and listening to what the people we meet have to say… I want to know that they understand why we are doing all this hard work… ‘Basically to safeguard the Samburu peoples future’…
I want to say a huge thank you to all of who have donated money, or taken time to read our blogs.. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.. From, myself, pete, Stella, Moses Lesoloyia, the manager, and all the scouts… Hope you have a merry festive season, and start the new year in style… Sorry OUR last picture this year is a sad one, but it is the reality out here, and we must NOT LET OUR GUARD DOWN… EVER!!..
Donations made here are
Dec 22nd Anna M USD 115.00
5 Comments
HI Helen
What amazing paintings – they look like cave paintings but they simply can’t be …or could they? In South Africa there are cave paintings that show ships! I wonder what they used as paint. I have copied a link to David Coulson who might be interested. Beautiful post. Thank you
Wish you a safe travelling and lots of energy for carrying the torch for conservation! Merry Xmas and Happy New Year wishes and looking forward to read your blogs next year!
Helen, just wanted to say that you guys at the Milgis Trust in my opinion have worked the grass root level of conservation out in such an efficient way on a “small” local scale and at the same time you have hit the jackpot in a BIG way, this is such a crucial part in my opinion !
My new mantra for the end of this year is your slogan from your last post “gentle conservation”, and along your Safaris the upcoming weeks that is exactly what you all will be doing.. Thank you all for all the hard work, it makes me feel positive and hopeful that we can safe guard this part of the world and all the living things within it… as for the picture, what a strange sight, never thought we see a AK45 on a cave painting ! All the best for the upcoming holidays and the new year, Anna…
Hi Helen and Hi Paula,
It is true, these are very unusual paintings. I have quite often seen paintings and engravings of people with guns (Namibia, South Africa, Sahara and here in Kenya, but never with bullets!)You may have seen the paintings at Kipsing Cave which include one or two paintings of AK47s but no people carrying them. Its quite common to find Samburu or Masai paintings of stick figure people but I don’t think I have ever seen a Samburu painting of an elephant. Most Samburu paintings are abstract finger paintings at Meat Feasting sites but these don’t include animals, which makes me suspect that these were not made by Samburu. One question that comes to mind is whether the paintings were made by people who saw hunters from outside masacring elephants here in the 1970s or 80s and expressed their horror on the rocks? It may not have been the hunters themselves who made the paintings. In any case I should very much like to see them. David Coulson
Hi Guys,
What a wonderful trust this is. I have read the website for the first time I must say what a nobel idea this is. I come from nearby Baragoi and how I wish the wonderful project is extended to cover most areas in Samburu.
You have really put a smile on the locals keep up guys. have joined a list of your friends.
Merry x-mas and a happy and fruitful New year 2010.
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