Nyero rock paintings
The Nyero rock paintings are located in eastern Uganda in Kumi District, 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Kumi town, about 200 km (124.3 mi) from the capital city Kampala. The Nyero rock paintings are among the most important rock art in Uganda. If you have an interest in archeology then the Nyero ancient rock paintings caves are a site to be visited especially if you are driving by or from Kidepo Valley Park. This is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic, the morning sun and above all once you can climb up on top of the shelter, you will have great views of the surrounding area, find monkeys, birds and at times even reptiles sunbathing. This is quite fantastic and memorable. It’s believed that no one knows who drew these beautiful paintings and therefore no records written left. Nevertheless, no matter who drew them, many come to admire the Nyero Ancient Rock Paintings Caves round and show you each giving you some local stories that go with them which make this a most interesting stopover and another cultural look back at early history of Uganda/Africa. In 2010 the US donated some money to preserve the rock paintings and the site since they are in danger of eroding and literally fading from history. Ugandans has also spoken about developing the site more for visitors which would also be of benefit to the local community and the village.
The Nyero rock site has six shelters which are;
Nyero 1: This is a small rock shelter formed by a low overhanging rock perched above three supporting rocks. On the outer edge of the overhang are six sets of concentric circles in white, together with paintings in the shape of ‘acacia pods’.
Nyero 2: This is the main shelter, it has a 10 m (32.8 ft.) high vertical rock against the back wall and an overhang formed by the breaking away of an enormous boulder estimated to weigh at least 20,000 tons. The overhang protects the paintings from direct rain and rocks in front and to the sides protect the paintings from the sun. The paintings are all done in shades of red. Concentric circles are the dominant form and more than forty different drawings were identified. There is one large ‘acacia pod’ design that has also been called a canoe. On the south-eastern side of the shelter, a narrow passage between the boulders leads to a small, dark shelter where there is a small cavity known as the ‘pocket’ where the early inhabitants used to offer gifts to their gods after receiving help from them. Members of the local community still follow a tradition of placing money there either before or after receiving help from ancestral spirits.
Nyero 3: This shelter is at the far northern end of the Inselberg and about 8 minutes’ walk from Nyero 2. It is formed by a large boulder perched on top of supporting rocks with no standing room. Once inside the artificial protecting wall, visitors have to crouch low down to reach the far end where another artificial wall makes it less dangerous and allows a wide view of the land below. The paintings are white concentric circles; the outer circles are surrounded by double curved designs, between which are double lines divided into smaller compartments.
Nyero 4: This is a small shelter on the south-western side of the hill where there are a few traces of red finger-painted concentric circles, two conical shapes and lines.
Nyero 5: This is situated on the western side of the hill near to the primary school, has a red geometric motif composed of a combination of circular and linear shapes made with both a brush and a finger. Unfortunately, part of it has been damaged by natural water erosion.
Nyero 6: This is situated high on top of the hill and has a good view of the surrounding countryside. There are traces of red pigment forming two finger-painted outlines of small oval shapes and a slanting L-shape as well as an outlined cross with a small circle below. At terrain safaris we shall include this site in the itinerary once you book with us a safari to kidepo valley national park or other tourist destinations.
