| Bahi Rock-Art Sites | |
|---|---|
  Location of Bahi Rock-Art Sites in Tanzania | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Location | Bahi District, Dodoma Region,  Tanzania |
| Coordinates | 05°57′10″S35°18′43″E / 5.95278°S 35.31194°E /-5.95278; 35.31194 |
| Governing body | Antiquities Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism[1] |
| Official name | Bahi Rock-Art Site |
TheBahi Rock-Art Sites orBahi rock paintings arerock art located at three sites in theDodoma region of Tanzania.[2][3][4] These white paintings are believed to be products of the Wamia people, who occupied the region before theWagogo people (the current residents). The paintings, which depict cattle, human figures, stools, gourds, a bird, and an arrow, among other symbols, were supposedly executed during important occasions such as funerals.[2][3] The Wagogo people, though not fully aware of the original significance of the paintings to the Wamia, have continued to use the sites as sacred locations forrain-making ceremonies. The Bahi paintings are estimated to be at least 340 years old based on the genealogy of the Bahi chief in 1929, which revealed the estimated time of his ancestor Kimanchambogo's arrival in the area.[2] The white painting method is generally associated with Bantu-speaking farming populations.[5]
