Sacred Poetry

Tsodilo Hills 

The Tsodilo Hills is located in the African Kalahari desert and it was said to be the origination of animal worship, dating back to c 70,000 BC. The geography of the Tsodilo Hills consisted of four chief hills, the highest of them being 1,400 metres. This is also the highest point in Botswana and each hill are entitled the names "Male" (the highest), "Female", "Child", and an unnamed hill. Anthropologists believe that the hills are of great cultural and spiritual significance to the San peoples of the Kalahari. Also, according to cave paintings of animals, animals were extremely underscored by these prehistoric people, numbering over 4,500 rock art paintings, most of the paintings have been found in the "Female" hill. Although anthropologists and architects have founded and studied these multitudes of paintings, they are still unsure of why these animals may have been of importance to the people of the Hills. However, they have concluded that the culturally, the San people believed that the hills are a resting place for the spirits of the deceased and if anyone hunts or causes death near the Hills, misfortune will be bestowed upon the person. Also, the paintings, depicting a range of domesticated and wild animals, the most famous of the paintings being the rhinos. In addition, there are walking trails - the Rhino Trail, Lion trail, and Cliff Trail. Along each trail, archeologists believe, tell a different story about the civilization of the San people. In conclusion, animals worship was undoubtedly a vital part to the San people daily life, maybe signifying their thanks to the animal gods for providing them with food or possibly their want and need for more of these beings, considering that the Hills were located in a desert.

I come here to praise the Gods

They have given me food and shelter

On these caves, I carve the animals that I laud

And pray that my tribe does not welter

On this day I come to these hills

The highest point of all of the land

To give glory to the Gods' wills

And bring to my people a state of order and demand

In this desolate desert, it gets so hot and dry

I give daily tribute to the Rain God

And pray that everyday, I do not die

For the water is of the essence and my God is not flawed

Today I have brought my family big game

And at the peak of the land, I come here and give thanks

To the animal Gods who are so fruitful and protected me from the dangerous Lion and his golden mane

Each and everyday, bringing me up the ranks

The animal Gods, I hope I can appease 

Please listen to my prayer to understand my gratefulness 

For only you can make me and my people happy and bring us to ease

And with this I end my prayer, I thank thee animal Gods and I have no shamefulness