KOMA: THE CROCODILE MOTIF IN THE ROCK ART OF THENORTHERN SOTHO

摘要

During initiation rituals various icons are employed as physicalrepresentations of important symbols. They are often used in instruc-tion regarding important issues of adulthood. This paper concentrateson one such symbol that takes the form of a particular painted motiffound in association with Northern Sotho boys' initiation. The localinhabitants call this motif koma. As a painted image, koma operateson a level surpassing other initiation icons. While other icons are onlyrevealed during initiation ceremonies, this painted image remains inconstant view. This prompts a discussion on how this symbol isperceived in the construction and expression of the initiates' trans-formed male identity.