Digital George Stow
Image: STOW_005
Institution : Iziko (no number assigned)
Size : 395mmx294mm
Description : Six figures – one with spear and the others with arms raised and bent downwards at elbow, one antelope. "Nos. 1. 2. & 3 From Reit Poort – Tarka 5th April 1867. G.W.S." "3"
Verso : none
Description in published source : "PLATE 2a LOCALITY.- Riet Poort, Tarka SITE - The old high-road from Tarkastad to Cradock runs through an opening in the hills called the Riet Poort. On the left coming from Tarkastad is the Riet River, on the right a row of rocks and rock shelters facing south-east. In one of these just seven miles out and close to the road are the faded remains of paintings. DESCRIPTION.- All the paintings in this spot are in black or red, or both colours. Sun, wind, dust, and in many places water, have made the paint so faint that it would be difficult to copy much. The human figure on the right is still clear, the rest of the group has been so much spoilt by water that only an occasional leg is visible. The buck can no longer be seen. Stow’s copy dates from 1867. EXPLANATION.- On a list sent down with the first cartoons in 1874 Stow called this ‘Dance of women’. The following remarks on the group were made by Bushmen from the Katkop Hills:- ‘They seem to be dancing, for they stand stamping with their legs. This man who stands in front (1st figure to the right of beholder) seems to be showing the people how to dance, that is why he holds a stick. He feels that he is a great man, so he holds the dancing stick, because he is one who dances before that people, that they may dance after him. The people know that he is one who dances first, because he is a great sorcerer. That is why he dances first, because he wants the people who are learning sorcery to dance after him. For he is dancing, teaching the people sorcery. That is why he dances first, for he wants the people who are learning sorcery to dance as he does. For when a sorcerer is teaching us, he first dances the ken dance, and those who are learning dance after him as he dances.’ Dimensions: 63/4 x 111/2 inches" (Bleek)
Published : "Rock Paintings in SA" plate 2a
Locality : Rietpoort, Tarkastad
Size : 395mmx294mm
Description : Six figures – one with spear and the others with arms raised and bent downwards at elbow, one antelope. "Nos. 1. 2. & 3 From Reit Poort – Tarka 5th April 1867. G.W.S." "3"
Verso : none
Description in published source : "PLATE 2a LOCALITY.- Riet Poort, Tarka SITE - The old high-road from Tarkastad to Cradock runs through an opening in the hills called the Riet Poort. On the left coming from Tarkastad is the Riet River, on the right a row of rocks and rock shelters facing south-east. In one of these just seven miles out and close to the road are the faded remains of paintings. DESCRIPTION.- All the paintings in this spot are in black or red, or both colours. Sun, wind, dust, and in many places water, have made the paint so faint that it would be difficult to copy much. The human figure on the right is still clear, the rest of the group has been so much spoilt by water that only an occasional leg is visible. The buck can no longer be seen. Stow’s copy dates from 1867. EXPLANATION.- On a list sent down with the first cartoons in 1874 Stow called this ‘Dance of women’. The following remarks on the group were made by Bushmen from the Katkop Hills:- ‘They seem to be dancing, for they stand stamping with their legs. This man who stands in front (1st figure to the right of beholder) seems to be showing the people how to dance, that is why he holds a stick. He feels that he is a great man, so he holds the dancing stick, because he is one who dances before that people, that they may dance after him. The people know that he is one who dances first, because he is a great sorcerer. That is why he dances first, because he wants the people who are learning sorcery to dance after him. For he is dancing, teaching the people sorcery. That is why he dances first, for he wants the people who are learning sorcery to dance as he does. For when a sorcerer is teaching us, he first dances the ken dance, and those who are learning dance after him as he dances.’ Dimensions: 63/4 x 111/2 inches" (Bleek)
Published : "Rock Paintings in SA" plate 2a
Locality : Rietpoort, Tarkastad
