Battle Cave Injisuthi in the Central Drakensberg, with its wide sandstone overhang, is one of the best-preserved San rock art sites in the Drakensberg Mountains. Guided walks are available to the cave daily (advance bookings essential).
The site is approached from the Injasuti Camp in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg Park. In order to visit the site, a long but easy walk is required. The site is ideal for those who do not wish to undertake an arduous journey to see rock art, nor to be bustled and jostled amongst a mass of tourists.
Battle Cave is one of the few rock art sites where a painting of a fight can be seen, although elements of the painting suggest that it is a spiritual battle.
Battle Cave Injisuthi bushman rock art interpretation
Although there are a great many images to be seen at Battle Cave, we concentrate on two panels. First we discuss the ‘scene’ after which the cave is named, then we consider the section of the shelter that is known as ‘Pixie Panel’.
The splendid battle scene is to the far right of the shelter where there are three clusters of human figures, predominantly in red. The group on the left comprises a number of running figures holding bows. One of them – the one situated highest in this group – has an arrow ready to shoot. This figure carries a quiver that bristles with arrows. Below is another man who holds a spear and points towards the two other groups in the panel. This posture is highly significant.
To the left are a number of figures. Two women hold a man, while another woman holds on to a man who is holding an axe -he has an erect and infibulated penis. To the right of this group is another cluster of figures that appear to be in the thick of a fight. A number of figures face each other with bows poised. Arrows and arrow-like flecks surround them, and two figures have axes.
Slightly to the right of this cluster a figure walks away removing an arrow from its arm. At first this painting seems to be an obvious depiction of a fight between two rival groups, but as with most San rock art, initial appearances are deceptive.
How to visit the rock art site
To visit the site, visitors will need to pay a fee to get into the park first, which is R40 P/P and R20 for children. This cave is reached from the Injasuti camp and it is a 5 hour round trip guided walk which leaves daily at 8.30 am. The cave is fenced so it cannot be accessed without a guide. Booking is essential – phone 036 4319000. The tours will cost R 75.00p/p, for a group of four or more people. If the group is made up of less than four people, the charge will be R320 for the group.
