Chongoni Rock Art

One of Malawi’s most significant historical attractions. 

The Chongoni rock art area is thought to be one of the highest concentrations of rock art in Central Africa. It became a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 2006. The site is opened to the public at three different sites,  located in Malawi’s Dedza region: Chentchere, Namzeze and Mphunzi. The Chongoni rock art area has received little tourist development, however can still be reached by an interested traveller not far from the M1, there is a considerable amount of climbing required to reach the paintings.

The sites are hidden in caves up forested hills, where locals used to hid to avoid the slavery times.

The site contains 127 well-preserved paintings, some of which are thought to be 3,500 years old. They can be found amongst the granite hills, and two-thirds of painted panels are found within forest reserves. This one area contains more rock art than anywhere else in Malawi, and covered 126.6 square kilometres.

The art was originally created by the BaTwa pygmies who used to occupy this area of Malawi. They were hunter-gatherers who lived from the late Stone Age, and disappeared in the mid-19th century. These paintings are mainly in red, and belong to four rare and important historical African rock art traditions. The designs are mostly made up of random geometric patterns.

Most of the white paintings were added later by the Chewa people. They are a farming community who have been in the area since the Iron Age period. They use the painting in rite-of-passage ceremonies. What is remarkable is that a high proportion of the art is known to be created by women, for chinamwali ceremonies. The paintings mostly consist of animals, mythical creatures and represent spirits which are still depicted in dance and rituals today called nyau.

The site is of great cultural significance and is still in use by the local people. The area is protected under The Monuments and Relics Act of 1990.