Snake with human head spotted in Buhera

Villagers in Buhera are living in fear amid claims that a huge snake with a human head has been spotted several times in one of the hills of Buhera.

One has to have more than enough guts to pass through Chiurwi hills that fall under Chief Nyashanu in Makuvise village. The hills are believed to have been so sacred for ages as the ancestors of the area and the forefathers of the Museyamwa totem, who so happen to be holders of the chieftainship for the area were buried. Village head for Makuvise village, Mr Mathius Makuvise (38) said these hills are so sacred and no one must dare utter any negative statements or vulgar language, unless if one is desperate for 'wonders'.

"What happens in these hills is that a snake with a human head is often seen, and the head has all human features such as ears, eyes, nose, forehead, hair, mouth and everything else that a human head contains. The mysterious snake can only be seen by descendants of the Nyashanu clan who have something to do with this area. Examples of such people include village headmen, chiefs, spirit mediums, and some members of this clan," he said.

Mr Makuvise said he too has seen the snake before. He said he could not see the tail of the snake but he looked at it right in the eye. Mr Makuvise also alleged that the snake had an adult man's head.

"The snake was huge, and it slithered slowly into a cave at was staring at me," said village headman Makuvise.

Besides the snake with the mysterious head, it is further reported that towards rainy seasons the hills are often seen burning mysteriously and huge thunders are heard too. Claims are that if the fire decreases then there would be fewer rains for that particular year in Buhera and if it increased then there would be so much rainfall too.

Mr Makuvise also said some thirty years ago, cattle, goats and sheep once 'drowned' on one of rocks in this area. The animals bodies all mysteriously drowned except the horns.

"In 1981 a total of 40 domestic animals from three families drowned into a rock after the youthful herdsmen threw coins into a sacred dam in those hills. The animals only resurfaced after 3 weeks of not grazing or drinking water. This was after the traditional leaders had begged for forgiveness from the ancestors of this area. Unfortunately the herdsmen took ropes and metal chains then tried to save two cows from drowning. These are the two cattle that never resurfaced. The 38 that resurfaced came down the hills rolling like a ball (kukunguruka)," narrated village head Makuvise.

So sacred are the hills that a mermaid has been spotted hanging clothes after laundry on one of the rocks. It is reported that after the liberation struggle in 1980, the liberation fighters gathered on Chiurwi Hills as the place was so common while Dzapasi Assembly Point was turned into a Heroes Acre for Buhera district. As if that is not enough, it is further reported that ghosts are also seen at Chiurwi hills. They (ghosts) are normally spotted in the form of liberation fighters and white soldiers shouting whilst holding guns.

"The ghost was of a liberation fighter, and we met on the booster (for one of the mobile network operators, Net One), and I ran away coming backwards before he started following me speaking a language that I couldn't understand. Luckily he just disappeared when I eventually got tired," said Mr Makuvise.

Before Net One could install the Network Booster at the peak of Chiurwi hills, is is reported that the traditional leaders of this area had to perform some rituals first. One of the security personnel who manage and look after the booster, Regis Matienga, said they often hear an unseen person uttering the words "PINDA MUHEAT (Get on fire!)". If one is on top of this hill, he can see as far as Ruti Dam in Gutu, Murambinda, Chivhu, Rusape, Bocha, Birchenough and other areas.

Snake with human head spotted, 40 cattle 'drown' into a rock for 3 weeks in Buhera