Marking Memories: Rock engraving-Mashishing Mpumalanga NHC

Marking Memories is a collaborative research project on the cross-cultural rock engraving traditions in Mashishing, Mpumalanga. The project builds on the Biesje Poort project.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions Marking Memories was adapted to an online project based on the original concept of Prof Roger Fisher of UP and Artefacts . The project is partially funded by the National Heritage Council in South Africa and focuses on the cross-cultural reception of the rock engraving heritage that falls under the Lydenburg Museum, led by archaeologist JP Celliers. The research project is based at CCMS, UKZN with the research leader, Prof Lauren Dyll. ARROWSA plays a coordinating role led by Dr Mary Lange. Several of the team mentioned, including Prof Dyll, are also on ARROWSA management. The collaborative project includes community leaders and families linked to the Boomplaats rock engraving site as well as teachers and museum staff from Mashishing. Other institutions and communities that are collaborating in the project are: KhoiSan traditional healers and crafters from the Kalahari, Belinda and Oeliset Org and Lydia, Isak and //ankie Kruiper, archaeologist Prof David Morris of McGregor Museum, Nama specialist Pedro Dausab, culture and communication specialist Luthando Ngema from UKZN and ARROWSA, development specialist Miliswa Magongo from WITS and ARROWSA, performing artist and educator Bheki Dlamini from Bechet High School and ARROWSA,  Shanette Martin leading South Roots International team in the Cape Flats, architect Dr Magda Minguzzi from NMU, Karoo indigenous community and Graaff Reinet Museum’s Anziske Kayser, artist Tamar Mason from Artists Press and artists and indigenous community of Mpumalanga linked to Artist’s Press  . Marking Memories is presently a short-term project – 2019 to 2021 but has the potential to become an ongoing project as more specialists, individuals and communities share their perceptions of our rock/ engraving national heritage.