"Kondoa Irangi" and the rock paintings - 12.02

Today we are attending mass again and repeatedly sit next to the group of pupils who currently form the choir that sings at the service. The choir changes every few days so that all the pupils get a turn over time. The singing sounds incredibly beautiful and I could basically listen to it for hours, but even moments like this unfortunately come to an end.

After the service and breakfast, we set off on our way. We arrive at a reservoir, below which small fish are caught and dried, which are later prepared for sale.

After this short stopover, we drive to our actual destination. After a few hours' drive, we finally arrive near the small village of Kolo, where our final stop - the Kondoa Irangi rock paintings - is located.

Here is some information:

Kondoa Irangi is a UNESCO heritage site with reddish rock paintings, including people, hunting scenes, giraffes and eland. Covering an area of over 2300km² along the African Rift Valley, around 150-450 rock paintings have been discovered, estimated to be over 1500 years old. These paintings, possibly created by members of the Sandawe tribe, depict humans and animals in shades of red, white, black and brown, presumably using vegetable oils and animal fat as a color base. The site was both a dwelling and a place of traditional rituals, some of which are still practiced today. Despite a survey by the Leakeys in the 1950s and a book publication by Mary Leakey in 1983, the paintings are largely unknown and few people have seen them.

(Further information at: https://www.tanzania-experience.com/de/blog/die-felsmalereien-bei-kondoa/)

Our tour guide tells us a lot about the surroundings, how the rock paintings were created and explains what can be seen on them. She makes it clear that these are merely interpretations and that individual paintings could perhaps represent something else. This point will not surprise anyone, considering how old the paintings actually are. Personally, I find it fascinating how long they have survived in such good condition. The creators have apparently found a very well-protected place so that these great paintings could be preserved for their ancestors.

After having lunch together at the foot of the rock massif, we finally drive back to St. Peter Claver, where we take a short break and then go back to the house competitions to cheer on the teams of our exchange partners and also play volleyball.

After this long, exciting day, we fall asleep relatively quickly after dinner :)