Page 72 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 19

Community

but that is not so, dear readers, as
we have a cluster of similar ruins
of this nature in Southern Africa
but they are smaller in size, like the
Mapungubwe. IKS has managed to
preserve the ruins; up to now they
stand like the day they were built.
The government is even giving out
funds so as to maintain this monu-
ment for many years to come. The
locals and history custodians believe
that Great Zimbabwe is proudly
Zimbabwean as the Zim bird (hun-
gwe) sculptures were found at the
ruins. Also, these mystic birds have
Kariba Dam. Photo: Online
never been seen anywhere else in
the world. The bird symbolizes our
tion sites these issues are common region is still rich in farming. In a heritage and it is on our flag, dear
occurrences. It goes without saying manner of speaking, sacredness readers, after all Zimbabwe in other
that if the river god had not been and traditions have preserved the words means “the house of stones.”
appeased by traditional means then caves compared to other attractions.
the dam wall would not have been The depth of the pool is not really As a way of protecting rivers IKS
built. Dear readers, it can be seen known up to now, and if you throw can be depicted by the issue of mer-
that IKS led to the infamous Nyami a stone in it, rumor has it that it maids because in Zimbabwe they are
Nyami artifacts that are sculpted, to will bounce back. Also, boat rides said to take people underwater to
also making Kariba a tourism hot are among the itinerary as tourists their world and when you return you
spot in Zimbabwe; not forgetting want to experience the pool which will be a greater healer. Allow me to
the Tiger fish tournament which runs into the cave. Henceforth, dear
attracts tourists from all over the readers IKS is the back bone of
world. tourism as the Chinhoyi caves are
rich in culture, history and heritage
Chinhoyi Caves and Zimbabwe is doing quite a re-
The caves were said to have been markable job in preserving such an
a stronghold for chiefs that lived attraction up to now.
many years ago. I had the privilege
to see the caves in person, as a visit Great Zimbabwe
is part of the orientation for the Mystery clouds is a popular destina-
freshmen at Chinhoyi University of tion, as tourists are fascinated about
Technology. The caves are sacred, how it came to be. Great Zimba-
and they carry rich history, as chiefs bwe is the fortress which was built
were said to literally live in the caves. by stones without mortar, plus the
As one of Zimbabwe’s attractions, stones and rocks are still balancing
the caves are intriguing in the sense as an upright structure up to now.
that they have a pool which is so Needless, to say this fortress, or
deep and has clear blue waters. Rain these ruins, did go through harsh
making ceremonies were said to weather conditions. In addition, it is
have been the order of the day in as ancient as Munhumutapa; a Rozvi
those days, as people came to the King is said to have lived at the
caves to perform them. Up to now fortress as a sort of palace and this
the Chinhoyi denizens do attest is where IKS chips in. Some say the
that the rain making ceremony was fortress was built by the Portuguese Chinhoyi Caves. Photo: Online
a norm and it was fruitful as the who came to do trade in Zimbabwe

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