Surrogate surfaces: A contextual interpretive approach to the rock art of Uganda

Abstract

Abstract
\nRock art in Uganda is under-researched, and where research has been done the
\nrock art was erroneously attributed to ‘Bushman-like’ people. This misattribution
\nresulted in flawed interpretations. Uganda forms part of the geometric art zone
\nthat spreads across central Africa, including Angola, northern Mozambique,
\nZambia, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Using a contextual
\ninterpretive approach, this thesis considers the meaning of the geometric rock art
\nof Uganda.
\nArising from recording and analysis of geometric rock art sites in Uganda, a
\nliterature review and archival searches on oral traditions and interviews with
\nheritage holders, the study attempts to sequence the art and tie identified patterns
\nin the rock art to data from ethnography, oral tradition and archaeological
\nsources. In this thesis, I consider the geometric rock art in Uganda to be made
\nwithin a context of ritual.
\nThis study makes an empirical contribution by generating a comprehensive
\ndatabase of rock art in Uganda. Methodologically, this is the first time that a
\ncontextual approach is used to identify patterns and to interpret the rock art in
\nUganda. Interpretatively, this study generates new knowledge about the
\ngeometric rock art as well as information on related living heritage.