Great Zimbabwe, Mashonaland, Rhodesia: An account of two years' examination work in 1902-4 on behalf of the government of RhodesiaHall, R. N. (Richard Nicklin)
History
Great Zimbabwe, Mashonaland, Rhodesia: An account of two years' examination work in 1902-4 on behalf of the government of Rhodesia
Hall, R. N. (Richard Nicklin)
Great Zimbabwe (Extinct city); Zimbabwe -- Antiquities
A peculiar interest attaches to this view of the Motelekwe Valley,
for along it appears to have been the main route of the ancient
gold-seekers from the coast to Zimbabwe, and so into the interior
of the country. Along the Motelekwe is a chain of ruins (see
_Ancient Ruins of Rhodesia_), of which the Mapaku Ruins, eight miles
east-south-east of Zimbabwe, are the nearest. Some of these ruins
are of major importance, and two at least are decorated with the
chevron pattern, and occupy areas almost as large as the main ruins
at Zimbabwe. This line of forts, or “blockhouses,” is extended along
the Sabi River for a considerable distance into Portuguese territory.
In viewing this valley from Morgenster, the thought that within sight
lies one of the ancient roads to the coast, and that along it passed
the gold- and ivory-laden caravans, makes the contemplation of the
Motelekwe Valley one of absorbing interest.
The sharp-cut kopje with steep glacis sides, about a mile and a half
south of the mission, is Rugutsi. This divides the scenery of the
Motelekwe from that of the Mowishawasha Valley on the south. This also
is a fine view, but not so extensive as that of the Motelekwe Valley.
An absolutely bare, granite, balloon-shaped kopje lies to the west.
Two miles due south of the mission, in the Mowishawasha Valley, is a
natural stronghold known as Wuwuli.
• • • • •
_Wuwuli._—This village, which is two miles south of Morgenster, is
situated in a deep and narrow ravine immediately west of the Rugutsi
Kopje, which forms such a prominent feature in the landscape of the
Mowishawasha Valley, as seen from the mission. Formerly this place was
of considerable importance to the local Makalanga, for during the times
of the Matabele raids the natives between this place and Zimbabwe took
refuge in the very extensive caves which run under the north side of
the ravine. A strong perennial stream flows through the caves. Here, in
time of danger, women, cattle, and grain were hidden. When Mr. and Mrs.
Bent visited this village, in 1891, the natives were opposed to their
inspecting the caves, and they were only permitted to go a certain
distance inside. Now that raidings have ceased the caves are deserted,
save for bats, and we were permitted to view the caves without any
demur on the part of the villagers.
The present chief is Bungu, a brother of the present dynastic chief
Mogabe by another mother. The former Mogabe, Chipfuno, resided at this
kraal as well as at Zimbabwe, and it was here he was shot in 1892.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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