Is Chinhoyi Caves sacred?
Is Chinhoyi Caves sacred?
Hollows and tunnels are a dominant feature of the caves system, and the caves are composed primarily of dolomite and limestone. Chinhoyi Caves are also believed to be sacred, and spirit mediums visit the place for ancestral worshipping or to hold cultural ceremonies.
What is the significance of Chinhoyi caves?
The Caves have a historical cultural significance. In the 16th century they were used by the local Shona tribes for storing grain and as a refuge from invading tribes. In the 1890’s Chief Chinhoyi and his followers used the Caves as a refuge from raiding tribes such as the Matebele.
Why is Chinhoyi Caves water blue?
A mysterious underground world created by drops of water. The enchanted Sleeping Pool, an intense cobalt-blue caused by specks of limestone in the water, is said to imprison an underwater monster.
How deep is the blue pool in Chinhoyi caves?
around 172metres
The pool is surrounded by the vertical rock walls of The Wonder Hole, which only adds to the atmosphere. The water in the main section of Sleeping Pool is between 80 and 91 metres deep, fluctuating due to seasonal rainfall. The depth of the water system is unknown, but the estimated depth is around 172metres.
What is Chirorodziva?
The traditional name for the Caves is “Chirorodziva” which means the “Pool of the Fallen”. The name was derived from an incident which took place in the 1830s when the Angoni Tribe, who were moving northwards surprised people living near the Caves and flung them into the pool.
Why is the sleeping pool blue?
The pool is blue for the same reason the sky is blue with scattering of light. The pool is blue throughout, whether in the shade, sun or deep underground. Scientifically, this effect can only be achieved if the water is clear. More often that not, many people come out of the cave panting like fish out of water.
How old is Chinhoyi caves?
The Matobo Hills is over 3 billion years old, and has hosted mankind for the past 400,000 years. Within the historic area is found the greatest concentration of rock art to be found anywhere in the world – and this will feature in the Heritage Ride.
Who discovered Chinhoyi caves?
His name was Frederick Selous. However, there were many who already knew of the Caves and saw them either as a place to admire or fear. One legend that surrounds the Caves, and inspires their name, involves Chinhoyi, a Headman who defeated and killed the Nyamakwere outlaws.
Who discovered the Chinhoyi Caves?
How did the Chinhoyi cave get its name?
It was through these happenings that the cave’s pool derived their native name in the 1830’s- ‘CHIRORODZIVA’, meaning ‘the pool of the fallen’. Nyamakwere’s demise came at the hands of a Headman named Chinhoyi who later became a Chief and the namesake of the town close by- Chinhoyi. The new chief used the caves as a safe haven from violent tribes.
Why was Chief Chinhoyi important to the Mashona tribe?
After defeating the outlaws, Chinhoyi became a Mashona Chief who used the Caves to keep his people safe from raiding tribes like the Matebele. Until a few years ago, one could even come across the remains of Chief Chinhoyi’s grain bins in some of the Caves’ underground passageways.
Who was the first person to discover the caves?
Historically, the first white man believed to have discovered the Caves was Frederick Selous, the famous European hunter, during his wanderings in 1887. It was believed that prior to that the Caves were being used as a stronghold by an outlaw called Nyamakwere who murdered many victims by throwing them into the Silent Pool.
Why is the cave called the Wonder Hole?
The main cave, known as the Wonder Hole is a result of the collapsing of a large roof which drops vertically down approximately 150 meters to the pool. The disintegration is also noticed in the pool, which has several under water passages which fascinatingly lead back to the Main pool.
