Ancient art in Somaliland in diplomatic limbo

[Jacaylbaro]

HARGEISA, Somaliland - The world’s most famous prehistoric art is in caverns in Europe, but the most recently discovered ancient cave paintings are in a country no other nation recognizes in a region of Africa associated mostly with terrorism, pirates and famine.

 

The Laas Geel cave paintings in Somaliland in the Horn of Africa are not as old or famous as the art in France’s Lascaux or Spain’s Altamira caves, but the quality is just as good, archaeologists say.

 

Unlike the European caves, however, Laas Geel has no chance of international protection as a site on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of the region’s complicated diplomatic situation.

 

Somaliland declared its independence more than 20 years ago and has been building a democracy ever since. But the world still recognizes the region as part of Somalia, which has spent the past two decades in chaos without a functioning government.

 

Somalia, which restored a government just last year, has not signed the UNESCO World Heritage treaty, so the caves in Somaliland cannot receive U.N. protection.

 

“We definitely need a heritage protection support,” said Somaliland Foreign Minister Mohamed A. Omar.

 

“These are a very old and historically and scientifically very important asset which has a global significance. Any help in protecting this is much appreciated by the Somaliland government.”

 

A French archaeological team discovered the isolated Laas Geel caves in 2002. Guided by villagers whose ancestors had known about the caverns for generations, they found the vibrant paintings in pristine condition.

 

The dry climate has helped preserve the ancient rock art, depicting nomadic life more than 5,000 years ago.

 

The Laas Geel caves are in 10 areas of a large granitic outcrop about 37 miles north of Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, and can reached by the road to the port city of Berbera. The caves sit near a dry riverbed 3 miles off the main road. Traversing the unmarked rutty trail requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

 

The outcrops appear ordinary until a close examination of the shallow enclosed areas near the upper reaches.

 

French archaeologists say the Laas Geel cave paintings are at least 5,000 years old and possibly twice that age.

 

Some of the paintings show the indigenous nomadic people worshipping cows. Other scenes show giraffes, dogs, antelopes, camels and other animals. In the Somali language, Laas Geel means “where the camels once watered.”

 

The cave art is reportedly among the oldest found in Africa. Many visitors say this incredible archaeological find deserves to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, despite the diplomatic problems.

 

With good highway signs, better vehicular access and an improved visitor center, this precious repository of ancient rock art could become a major tourist attraction and economic boost to Somaliland.

 

 

READ MORE

[Safferz]

lol it looks like the PR firm the Somaliland government recently signed a contract with is doing their job. A well placed article (The Washington Times is read by all the policy folks) and taking the heritage site preservation angle to bring up the recognition question is clever work.

[Nin-Yaaban]

Safferz;945161 wrote:

lol it looks like the

PR firm

the Somaliland government recently signed a contract with is doing their job. A well placed article (The Washington Times is read by all the policy folks) and taking the heritage site preservation angle to bring up the recognition question is clever work.

Ummm, the Washington Times isn't read by anyone (well, except for the weirdos). You probably mean the Washington Post (WaPo) which is completely different from the Times.

[Safferz]

Nin-Yaaban;945162 wrote:

Ummm, the Washington Times isn't read by anyone (well, except for the weirdos). You probably mean the Washington Post (WaPo) which is completely different from the Times.

I know both papers, and that's not true. It's a conservative paper and doesn't have as wide circulation as the Washington Post, but it has a loyal readership and appeals to certain types.

[Nin-Yaaban]

Safferz;945174 wrote:

I know both papers, and that's not true. It's a conservative paper and doesn't have as wide circulation as the Washington Post, but it has a loyal readership and appeals to certain types.

Well it's certainly not read by policy makers, i could tell you that much. Back when i use to live in Fairfax, they use to have people handing out free Washington Times newspapers in front of the metro stations. Most people would just put it the trash can (Qashin) as soon as they get to their exit.

[Alpha Blondy]

^ Nin-yaban,

 

masquerading your anti-Somaliland sentiments, miyaa, inaar?

[The Zack]

LOOOOOOOOOOL@Nin yaaban. Washington Times aint Washington Post miyaa

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

The new lobby group is doing a good job , Somaliland should hire more Lobby groups

[Safferz]

Nin-Yaaban;945181 wrote:

Well it's certainly not read by policy makers, i could tell you that much.

That's also not true.

[Alpha Blondy]

Saffz,

 

besides american newspapers and their stance.......

 

what do you think of las geel? and why hasn't it been granted this UN seal of approval/status yet? also and more importantly, why aren't you supporting cultural heritage programmes in SL?

[Safferz]

Alpha Blondy;945325 wrote:

Saffz,

 

besides american newspapers and their stance.......

 

what do you think of las geel? and why hasn't it been granted this UN seal of approval/status yet? also and more importantly, why aren't you support cultural heritage programmes in SL?

Who said I don't support cultural heritage programs in SL? I was just remarking on how clever the PR firm is to take this angle to publicize SL's diplomatic situation. I don't know the process of attaining UNESCO world heritage site status, so I can't comment on why Laas Geel and other sites haven't been declared world heritage sites but I'd imagine if the SL government really cared about protecting these sites they would include it in their dialogues with Somalia (since they can sign the UNESCO treaty). What I don't like is the politicization of history and Somali cultural heritage as a diplomatic tool.

[Nin-Yaaban]

Alpha Blondy;945310 wrote:

^ Nin-yaban,

 

masquerading your anti-Somaliland sentiments, miyaa, inaar?

Maya ina'adeer, i was just pointing out a minor detail. Having lived in the DC Metro area for a while before moving to MN, i like to act out as the SoL resident expert in all things DMV.

 

And as for Somaliland, I dont really have any opinion about it one way or the other.

[Alpha Blondy]

Xaaji Xunjuf;945315 wrote:

The new lobby group is doing a good job , Somaliland should hire more Lobby groups

somaha, inaar?

 

one for each of the saddex habro of the bermuda triangle. i'd also add the other beelaha ought to have their own lobby groups. balse..... isn't this the job of parliamentarians mise they're too BUSY? my mate whose a member of Parliament was saying that i ought to run for office because i could be elected.....but i told him.....gurigeena waan soo geli doonaa, waliba kursigaga ayaan ku fadhiisan doonaa ee sida uula soco...Xildhibanooow.

[Alpha Blondy]

Nin-Yaaban;945334 wrote:

Maya ina'adeer, i was just pointing out a minor detail. Having lived in the DC Metro area for a while before moving to MN, i like to act out as the SoL resident expert in all things DMV.

 

And as for Somaliland, I dont really have any opinion about it one way or the other.

yes! obviously, you have more knowledge of this area than most. this i'm quite certain off.....but it appears Google earth and other related sorts of technologies have empowered these knowledge-endowed-uppity-pseudo-intellectuals in our midst, these days. this is not a substitute for good local knowledge.

 

as for SL, i don't think you should have any opinion about it one way or the other.

[Safferz]

nvm I need a nap lol