Trains, Tracks, Transition: Ambivalence in Northern Sotho Colonial Contact-Period Rock Art, the Makgabeng, South Africa

What is it about?

This paper argues that depictions of colonial contact things such as trains, tracks, wagons and vehicles in Northern Sotho rock art, are associated with initiation rites of becoming an adult, in much the same way as migrancy. The depictions symbolize the challenges of journeying migrants to mines and farms, where upon return, are received in much the same way as returning initiated men Returnees brought goods and wealth, were preferred and could afford to get married. _x000D_ Depictions of these colonial contact images show how the Northern Sotho responded to colonialism - to migrancy and its associated social and economic capital.

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