Nyero Rocks are rocks, truly fascinating archaeological rocks found in the Eastern part of Uganda. These rocks are popular as one of those ancient sites with rock art and cultural significance to the people of the region.
The Nyero rocks site is located in Kumi District, Eastern Uganda about 55 km (34 miles) northwest of Mbale town. The rocks contain the ancient rock paintings that date back to about 1,000-2,000 years. The artwork on these rocks depicts humans, animals, and abstract designs. The paintings are made from red and white ochre, carbonates, and silicates. As of the time of writing of this article over 1,000 individual paintings have been documented at this Nyero rocks site.
The Nyero rocks site is a sacred site for the local Teso people usually associated with ancestral spirits and traditional rituals and used for initiation ceremonies and spiritual practices.
The rocks were first discovered by the British colonial administrator, Henry Worthington Smith, in 1913 and they were then excavated and documented by archaeologist, James Walton, in 1950s. Further more the rocks have been continuously studied by Ugandan and international researchers.
As of 2000 the Nyero Rocks are protected by Uganda’s Department of Museums and Monuments and have been recognized as a national monument since 1990. The Nyero rocks site is part of the UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
The Nyero rocks site receives over 1000 visitors through the year who are interested in marveling at the beauty of the rocks and also the learning about the history, culture, and art. The tourists who visit these rocks will have guided tours of the rocks, where the guides will explain a number of factors about the rocks. The proceeds from the tourism activities at this rock site usually are used to support the local communities around and some of the local growth and development projects.
The rock sites receive visitors all year round daily between 7am and 6pm. The viewing costs vary depending on a number of factors, so ask your tour consultant for the right prices.
some interesting things you should know about the rocks that you should look out for when you visit the rocks include but are not limited to: –
- The name “Nyero” comes from the local Teso language, meaning “rock.”
- The rocks have similar rock art found in nearby sites of Kakoro and Lolui. They have also been compared to Lascaux Cave paintings in France
- The paintings on the rocks depict various wild animal species like elephants, giraffes, zebras and others.
- The rocks also have abstract designs that represent spiritual or symbolic meanings.
Nyero Rock - At your visit to the rocks, you also be entertained by the locals through traditional dances and performances they usually do for tourists.
- The Nyero site has been featured in a number of international publications and documentaries most notably on Nat Geo platforms.
- The site’s granite rocks are believed to have been formed over 2.5 billion years ago; but have been weathered and eroded over time.
- The paintings on the rocks are drawn used stenciling, outlining, and filling techniques; and the paints are made from natural materials. The rocks’ radiocarbon dates far back in age to between 1,000-2,000 years.
- The paintings styles and techniques have been said they span multiple artistic periods; and the unique blend of naturalism and abstraction somehow shows the early human artistic expression.
