In the middle of the Namibe desert, on paths that can only be reached with eyes accustomed to nothing, thousands of figures cover hills and stones. The rock paintings by Tchitundo-Hulo are a fingerprint of the people who inhabited these lands long before the arrival of the Bantu. We turned the compass to the south. Looking for answers.
Many, many years ago, the rock walls of the southern desert became canvas. A huge outdoor mural with thousands of colorful figures. The majority, abstract and circular designs - perhaps the universe itself, the cosmos seen on clear desert nights -; others, more recognizable, with antelopes and snakes marking the line.
The Tchitundo-Hulo rock complex in Capolopopo (municipality of Virei, Namibe) is one of the most valuable cultural treasures in Angola. The impressive quantity of engravings dates from remote times - some say 2000 years, some say 4000 - and occupy several stations: Tchitundo-Hulo Mulume, the first to be found; Tchitundo-Hulo Mucai and Pedras da Lagoa and Zebras. There are granite hills, ceilings and walls sprinkled with stories yet to be deciphered.
The engravings began to be studied in 1952, by Camarate França. A thousand and one theories have since emerged to explain this masterpiece of the peoples of the desert.
To get to this place you will have to travel to the capital of the Province of Namibe, Moçamedes, and from there take a trip of about 3 hours in a 4x4 vehicle, as most of the route is done on a sandy road.
There you will also find several Kimbos, small villages of local tribes like the Mecubais.
It is a tradition that before visiting this place you have to ask permission from the chief of the village, Soba. It is also a tradition to make some offers, such as essential food items, sugar, flour and oil, among others.
