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Mutarazi Falls: A place of mysteries

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MUTARAZI Falls in the eastern highlands is located in Nyanga National Park and is regarded as one of the natural wonders of the world.

MUTARAZI Falls in the eastern highlands is located in Nyanga National Park and is regarded as one of the natural wonders of the world.

BY SHADRECK MARIRIMBA

The falls’ depth is 769m, making it the fifth-deepest in the world and second in Africa after the Victoria Falls.

The name Mutarazi came from a type of indigenous grass called Darazi in shona which is found in the area. The grass is an anathema to wildlife and authorities keep track of its growth to ensure that it does not spread to other areas, but it is good for preventing soil erosion.

The area is highly protected by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority under the Environment ministry.

Just like Nyangani Mountain, Mutarazi Falls is known by locals as a place of mysteries where, for a very long time, strange things that can not be explained have happened.

A drive through the thick forest to Mutarazi shows that the area is still undisturbed and harbours a lot of secrets. The trees and rich foliage make the area a convenient habitat for animals within the park.

Sam Matore, who has worked and lived in the area for many years, said: “Rumours of people disappearing are rampant in this area. There is a mystery surrounding the gorge because of its depth as one can only see water flowing down spectacularly, but cannot see where it plunges into the depth.”

He said several people who sought to view where the water plunges into the depths by going down tied with ropes had disappeared into the misty pool.

Matore, who lives in Muterere village in Honde Valley, claimed that many people avoided going into the deep forest for fear of disappearing.

Locals believe that the pool into which Mutarazi water falls contains gold and some even claim that there is a golden rod which is often seen floating on the surface of the pool.

Mutarazi Falls is adjacent to Muchururu Falls in the same range. According to Matore, Muchururu Falls is also mysterious and during the rainy season when the water volumes are high, it always shows an inscription “INI”, which in Shona means “me”.

“If one is in Honde Valley looking at these falls, you can easily read the waters flowing in the paths of the mountain with the inscription INI. It’s quite a mysterious view,” Matore said.

The sentiments were echoed by Robert Muzondiwa who is a resident at Mutarazi’s cottages.

The area at Mutarazi gives one a spectacular view of Honde Valley and Mozambique.

From the top of the Mutarazi Mountain one can view Mabwe Masimike Mountain which has two toe-like features of granite rocks protruding upwards, making the whole mountain range marvel to behold.

Prosper Barwe, a Zion Apostolic sect member in Honde Valley, said most of the times when he climbed the mountains to pray, he heard strange noises.

Strangely, most people come to perform traditional ceremonies on the mountains throwing money and other artefacts down the falls.

At one of the viewing points, there was rice, money, white clothes, ashes and many things suggesting that rituals were taking place.

“It’s normal here to see such things. Many people perform rituals and throw money and all sorts of valuables down in anticipation of good fortune or exorcising some bad omen,” said a tour guide.

But all these do nothing to rob the place of its exquisite beauty. According to the Nyanga National Park website, the falls present an impressive sight of the almost indistinguishable drop as the river flows over the cliff face.

“The best time to be here is late in the afternoon when the sun behind the water makes the slender falls gauzy and golden. Right on top of the highest water fall in Zimbabwe there is a natural swimming pool marked by beautiful tree ferns and large brown rocks that make the water warm,” reads the site.

“In other words, it’s just spectacular and amazing to swim at such a high point near the edge of the tallest waterfall in the country.”