Our Partners
Collaborating to preserve and share Samburu rock art heritage
The Digital Museum
A first step toward displaying the unique Samburu rock art heritage online was taken in 2021, when Linnaeus University, in partnership with the NGO Empower the Northern Frontier and The University of Western Australia, established the project 'Samburu Rock Art – A Unique Cultural Heritage', funded by the Swedish Institute.
At the end of this project, a digital museum promoting Samburu heritage was launched online. Although this initial webpage was later closed due to technical and economic challenges, the current digital museum continues the work begun in that project and builds on the experiences gained.
This digital museum and website are created within the research project "Making rock art today – encounters with practicing Samburu rock art painters". The text of the Rock Art and Rock Painters pages as well as Home and Partners are written and shaped by members of the research team. The Samburu Life and Visit pages are created by Empower Northern Frontier.
- Copyright: Samburu Digital Museum has all rights of the images, videos and paintings. If you use them, you have to quote the source or reference the website.
- Photos: Most photos are taken by research team member Ebbe Westergren. Cite: website & photographer.
- Painters stories: Cite source: painter's name & website.
Rock Art Research
Since 2020, Linnaeus University in Sweden and the NGO Empower Northern Frontier in Kenya have explored Samburu rock art through two separate projects funded by the Swedish Institute and the Swedish Treasury Foundation, respectively. The latest project also includes the National Museums of Kenya, Kenyatta University, Adelaide University and Oxford University. This research is done closely together with the local communities and the Samburu painters. The research is ongoing, so the information and results on this webpage are still a work in progress.
Research Team Members
With Deep Gratitude
Swedish Treasury Foundation
A generous grant from the Swedish Treasury Foundation provided the financial foundation for this new version of the Samburu Digital Museum. Their support made it possible to present the rock art of the Samburu people to the world, preserving this unique cultural heritage for future generations. We are deeply grateful for their vision and commitment to cultural preservation.
Making Rock Art Today
"Making rock art today – encounters with practicing Samburu rock art painters", 2024-2026
Adelaide University, Australia
International research collaboration, rock art documentation techniques, and digital preservation expertise.
Linnaeus University, Sweden
Academic leadership, research funding coordination, and the initial vision for the Samburu Rock Art Digital Museum.
Empower the Northern Frontier
Kenya-based NGO working with local communities to preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable development in northern Kenya.
National Museums of Kenya
Cultural heritage preservation, research collaboration, and museum expertise supporting documentation and conservation of rock art sites.
Kenyatta University, Kenya
Academic research, archaeological expertise, and student engagement in rock art documentation and heritage studies.
Oxford University, United Kingdom
Research collaboration in rock art studies, anthropological perspectives, and cultural heritage documentation.
Website Development
Ezekiel Dafarday
Software Developer & Digital Curator
Ezekiel developed and maintains the Samburu Digital Museum website, documenting rock art paintings and all development in the website. He works closely with the research team to ensure the digital preservation and accessibility of this unique rock art and cultural heritage for future generations.