Kaokoland - The lonely Stone Men
Kaokoland, also known as the Kunene Region, is spectacularly remote - it is a vast expanse of rough semi-desert, hidden in the extreme northwest of Namibia, between the empty, wind-blown skeleton coast and the little-explored wilderness in southwestern Angola. If you like extreme terrain, hidden valleys, and rare, exotic culture, Kaokoland is the place to be. The wildlife in this dry and unforgiving place includes desert-adapted elephants, rhinos, and occasionally lions and antelopes.
Kaokoland, also known as Kaokoveld, is a popular destination for hardcore travelers and explorers. It appeals to those who have already traveled through the country's main asphalt arteries, and for self-sufficient and experienced 4x4 travelers who venture further afield, it is a desert Eden full of secrets and wonders.
One of these secrets is the Lone Men of Namibia. These stone men - or rather sculptures - are scattered across the country. The sculptures are life-size, made from rock that predominates in the area. Each sculpture shows a different character. Some stand, others sit, others kneel with their hands in the air, and one clings to an overhang for love of life. An aluminum disc is attached to each figure, with a number and a message indicating where it is "op pad" to.
Although a sculpture with the number 37 was sighted, only 14 lone men have been found so far. They have been spotted in Purros in the south, Van Zyl Pass in the east, Otjinungua in the north, and even in the Skeleton Coast National Park in the west. The nameless artist managed to secretly construct these stone figures in Namibia's long-forgotten landscape. It has become an open-air gallery that draws the viewer into the ambiance and feelings of each sculpture. For many travelers, the search for these lonely men has become a treasure hunt.
Nobody knows who the artist is, the locations, how many sculptures there really are, or what story is behind this art. The strangeness is the beauty of everything, the unknown is wrapped in the mystery.
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