Mikolongwe Hill and the Mwalaolemba Rock Shelter: Preserving a Neglected Cultural Heritage

Mikolongwe Hill is located in the southern part of Malawi in Thyolo District, near Nansadi Primary School, with the Nansadi River flowing at its base. Situated on this hill is Mwalaolemba, a rock shelter renowned for its unique collection of schematic rock paintings.

The site was declared a protected monument under Section 7 of the Monuments Act of 1965 and was, for many years, open to the public.

According to Cole King, in an article published in the Society of Malawi Journal, several rock shelters containing paintings have been identified in Malawi, and it is widely believed that many more remain undiscovered.

While a small number of the paintings depict figures or animals in relatively crude forms, the majority are executed in geometric or schematic styles, composed of both simple and complex symbolic patterns.

Paintings of similar schematic styles are found across a broad region, extending from northern Mozambique beyond the Zambezi River, through Malawi, and into eastern and northern Zambia. These contrast sharply with the more naturalistic rock paintings—commonly referred to as “Bushman paintings”—which are predominantly found south of the Zambezi River.

Although schematic paintings may not be immediately visually striking, they are of considerable archaeological and cultural significance. Scholars suggest that they are linked to magico-religious practices of the communities that created them.

While the meanings of individual symbols are often unclear to contemporary observers, such imagery was likely widely understood among the people who produced it and should not be dismissed as random or meaningless markings.

Schematic rock paintings are most commonly found in well-watered, forested plateau regions at elevations of approximately 4,000 feet, areas that until relatively recently supported abundant wildlife.

Smooth, hard rock surfaces sheltered from the elements by natural overhangs were ideal for painting. In many such shelters, artifacts and other materials—typically associated with Late Stone Age occupation—are often found within floor deposits.

At Mwalaolemba, however, no artifacts have been discovered. Despite this, it is believed that the Akafula people once used the cave as a dwelling place. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, the site attracted tourists from around the world.

As a protected monument under the Department of Antiquities, it was accessible to visitors who would park their vehicles at Nansadi Primary School and walk approximately 1.5 kilometres up the hill, crossing the Nansadi River on foot.

During this period, a signpost erected by the Department of Antiquities clearly marked the site. More than 20 years ago, however, the signpost was vandalized.

The wire fence that once protected the cave was also destroyed, leaving the site exposed to damage. As a result, some individuals defaced the shelter by scratching or scribbling over the original paintings using stones.

Today, Mwalaolemba is frequently used by various religious groups as a site for prayer gatherings. In the process, the site has suffered prolonged neglect by key stakeholders, including government authorities responsible for heritage conservation.

Despite the damage, most of the original paintings remain intact, although some have faded and require close observation to fully appreciate. The majority of the artwork is geometric or schematic in style, ranging from simple to complex designs.

Common motifs include sun-like images, finger-like strokes, and other symbolic forms, almost all rendered in red pigment. Little is known about the materials used to create these paintings, though local beliefs suggest the possible use of animal blood or extracts from the roots of certain indigenous plants found on the hill.

Long-term neglect has also resulted in environmental degradation around Mikolongwe Hill. Surrounding communities have expanded agricultural activities close to the site, causing damage to the surrounding ecosystem. In addition, some community members have initiated plans to construct a church near the rock shelter, further threatening the integrity of the heritage site.

Based on these observations, there is an urgent need to restore, protect, preserve, and stabilize Mwalaolemba, while intensifying awareness among surrounding communities. Such efforts would help safeguard this important cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism at the site.

Furthermore, there is a need to identify and engage partners and potential funders to support restoration, preservation, protection, and community awareness initiatives through inclusive community engagement. With coordinated action, Mikolongwe Hill and the Mwalaolemba rock paintings can regain their lost significance and be preserved for future generations.