There are hundreds of rock shelters with rock paintings in the Cederberg Wilderness area and in other conservation areas in the Western and Northern Cape. These images reveal the power and experience of the medicine people or shamans who worked to make rain, heal the sick and control game. They gained power from their gods by going into a trance induced by rhythmic dancing, clapping and singing.
Rock paintings are subject to natural weathering.
Drastic damage can, however, be done by people who touch the paintings, pour water or other substances on them, light fires or stir up dust near the paintings, or scratch graffiti onto the rock wall. There are presently no known methods or preserving the paintings permanently in their original setting. Cape Nature Conservation regards rock art as an integral part of the attraction of a wilderness area. Wilderness users may explore and discover the rock art for themselves. Such a discovery is an important element of the total wilderness experience.