Opinion / Columnist
Cultural beliefs were reduced from hill to a hump
11 Apr 2017 at 21:42hrs | Views
The historical mountain Chidzuhwi in Hurungwe Mashonaland West has lost significance and wonders it used to have due to the dilution of cultures.
The legends of Chidzuhwi lay between Karoi and Magunje communal lands, Just about 10km from Karoi town.
It is a hill landscape with many superstitions which occurred during the 19th century.
It became one of the leading superstitious hills in Hurungwe during that period, followed by Mutirikati in Rengwe near the present day Chidamoyo.
Chidzuhwi was a no go area both during daylight and night. It was an area you cannot pass through without following normal procedure.
It was said by the elders that when the moon was shining jackals were seen with human hands and feet. Various animals were found at Chidzuhwi hills including lions, ghosts, and huge snakes.
Superstitions kept the Shona tribes of Hurungwe for many years until European farming settlements turned the landscape from a hill to become more than a hump.
It was said that the Chidzuhwi hill was filled with beer to appease or offer to tribal spirits.
Tribes were intermixed with some in transit while others were in permanent settlements. Originally, tribal rituals were infiltrated by foreigners, particularly whites.
Original tribal rituals were intercepted by foreigners who brought their own beliefs and activities contrary to the owners of the land.
The hill which was turned into a hump was further depressed to a depression.
The norms of the community ritual beliefs were almost completely dilapidated.
The legends of Chidzuhwi lay between Karoi and Magunje communal lands, Just about 10km from Karoi town.
It is a hill landscape with many superstitions which occurred during the 19th century.
It became one of the leading superstitious hills in Hurungwe during that period, followed by Mutirikati in Rengwe near the present day Chidamoyo.
Chidzuhwi was a no go area both during daylight and night. It was an area you cannot pass through without following normal procedure.
It was said by the elders that when the moon was shining jackals were seen with human hands and feet. Various animals were found at Chidzuhwi hills including lions, ghosts, and huge snakes.
It was said that the Chidzuhwi hill was filled with beer to appease or offer to tribal spirits.
Tribes were intermixed with some in transit while others were in permanent settlements. Originally, tribal rituals were infiltrated by foreigners, particularly whites.
Original tribal rituals were intercepted by foreigners who brought their own beliefs and activities contrary to the owners of the land.
The hill which was turned into a hump was further depressed to a depression.
The norms of the community ritual beliefs were almost completely dilapidated.
Source - Givestar Kamuzonde
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