move with sinuous rhythm it is aptly named the python dance. Scientist suggest the lake was formed as a result of big meteorite impact, however it is one of the existing theories. There some claims Smerdyachee lake hasa double bottom, which, rising and sinking alternately. And, we'll send you a R200 voucher to use on your next booking. Sadly those who came across him, refused him food. An ancient legend tells us that Cwn Idwal is named after Idwal, son of the Owen Gwynedd, Prince of North Wales. The Domba Performed at the initiation Ceremony. But Lake Fundudzi, believed to have been formed by a landslide and the only freshwater inland lake in the country, is without doubt . But the People of the Pool still use traditional law to guard and conserve the history and culture of the area. The lake measures 5 km in Numerous tales of the strange and paranormal are often link to bodies of water, and especially lakes which by all accounts seem to be cursed, haunted or even both. Dont miss thesestrange urban legends that turned out to be true. 13September 1979 the territory became fully independent as the Republic of Venda. Legend has it that a great white python lives in the waters. The initiation hut is surrounded by a wall and built by the elderly men of the kraal on a site selected by the medicine man and approved by a chief. The most important ritual instrument is the drum (ngoma), which is found only in a chiefs kraal. Bodies of Water. The legends are countless, and recycled. The region North of Tzaneen is the heart of Venda with the main town Thohoyando. High in the Soutpansberg Mountains, Lake Fundudzi was formed when a landslide blocked the course of the Mutale River. The content of this website does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Soul:Ask and may contain 18+ material. They believe that the brain of the crocodile is poisonous. Trips to the lake shore are traditionally rarely granted visitors, which is probably just as well as it is said to be infested with crocodiles. The Province may be divided into four basic tourism sub-regions. All photos (2) Contribute. Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China, and is located in Jiangxi Province in the southeast of China. And mysteriously, with no obvious outlet, this lake never overflows. It is the only inland lake in South Africa, surrounded by lush forests, waterfalls and mountains. Copyright 2010 - 2022 Soul:Ask | Unlock your Mind and Soul. The conservation project has created jobs for the locals in areas of building and education. The sacred lake of the white python. The territorial authority was instituted in 1962, and more comprehensive executive powers were granted in 1969. A consummate storyteller, he makes these sacred spaces come alive and strengthens the . Sitemap. This gave a warning to the Lwamondo who were then able to ensconce themselves on the mountain and beat off the Swazi, thus they declared the Baboons sacred. There are only about 700 000 speakers who live mostly in the Limpopo Province and close to the Zimbabwe border. But the low rainfall and deforestation, has led to problems of runoff, erosion and silt build up in the tributaries and the lake itself. Lake Fundudzi a.k.a. Many of the drowning cases are somewhat odd in that they have happened very close to shore with strong swimmers and in calm conditions, which considering the history of the lake have given rise to rumors that Lake Lanier is somehow haunted or cursed. Lake Lanier has a deadly reputation, and an examination at the statistics suggests its warranted. The Limpopo Province is rich in minerals, including copper, asbestos, coal, iron ore and platinum. Cattle The Bushveld is cattle country. Locals can recount recent tales of a foreign developer who wanted to build a resort on the edge of Lake Fundudzi. Read more. The lake was formed by dammingWhite Rock Creek, which today widens into the lake before continuing south out of the spillway and emptying into theTrinity River. They were a peace loving people who allowed strangers from the North of the Limpopo to live amongst them. (Image Source). Ancient beads are worn by women and handed down through generations. This is most clearly demonstrated by that most erotic of African dances, the domba, which is the proud heritage of the Venda. Although small in number, they are a fiercely independent group who successfully resisted and repulsed the unfriendly attentions of the Pedi, Tsonga and Swazi. During World War I, the Germans used the lake as a dumping ground for all manner of discarded war materials including cannons, firearms, ammunition, and countless others, which was all unceremoniously thrown into the lake before their surrender in 1915, in order to keep the enemy from using them. The Venda nation consists of 27 tribes, each under the leadership of an independent chief; through intermarriage these tribal chiefs also represent a number of dynasties. Scientists have been trying to unravel Poyang Lakes mysteries for years, but no investigations have yielded any concrete conclusions. They wandered up the valley of the Nzhelele River, a tributary of the Limpopo, and eventually reached its headwaters in the mountain range thenamed Venda (the pleasant plece). They would make offerings just below the falls to the spirits in the pool. One of these concerns Lake Fundudzi, which was inhabited, according to the story, by a python whose wife was a beautiful maiden named Nengomi. Till today a young pregnant expendable girl will be fed (sacrificed), after the birth of her child, to the sacred lake Fundudzi. Mystery Of Fundudzi Lake Of South AfricaWelcome to our channel Jaankari Duniya!In this video I have explained about fundudzi lake of south africa which is ex. The soil is moist and fertile. The stories of such a large treasure lying at the bottom of this relatively small lake has proven to be irresistible to numerous treasure hunters, which has also proven that perhaps the myths that the lake is a cursed place full of vengeful spirits as well. Because of this, Lake Fundudzi tourism has been slow in developing. It is located in South Africa's northernmost Province, - Limpopo Province. [2], According to Venda legend the lake was created when a passing leper was refused food and shelter. They throw a few strands of their hair into the water. As with Round Valley Reservoir, there have been those who have described unseen hands pulling at them from below or even scarier the sensation of something covering their mouth to prevent them from breathing. A Land of Legends Many legends are told about Lake Fundudzi. After bathing in the lake he beats his drums large stones near the shore, and resident say they can hear the sound. Nelson Maphaha who weaves the tales of myth and legend around Lake Fundudzi and the Thate Vondo Forest. Although three rivers flow into Lake Fundudzi, it never overflows. Autonomous Government was attained on 1 February 1973. Measuring about 5 km by 3 km when full, it was created by an ancient landslide blocking the course of the Mutale River. It is a type of xylophone, made of strips of teakwood attached to a frame beneath which is fitted a series of calabash that serve as resonators. One day a leper begged for food and shelter from the tribe whose kraal was where the lake is now. Deforestation, agriculture and development are causing the lake to silt up, although a local project is busy rehabilitating the area. Your email address will not be published. 2 #2 of 2 things to do in Thohoyandou. Adding to the lakes sacred status is the mystery of the water level, which rises and falls independently of rainfall. Mystery of Fundudzi: , . G G eologists say Lake Fundudzi in Limpopo 's northernmost reaches is one of a very few in the world to have been formed by landslide. This is a bean grown in the region and a source of cheap protein for the people, very popular with maize meal. Please note, business details can change. Today, the young virgins in the community perform the ritual Domba Python dance. A legend tells of a local Venda man who walked into the lake with a heart filled with sorrow after the loss of his true love. All Rights Reserved. Otjikoto Lake, Region of Oshikoto, Namibia. The main feature is to be circumcised. He is celebrated annuallywith theDomba, or Python Dance performed by young adolescent girls from the villages close by. The local population considers the lake sacred and tells legends about it. Fundudzi camp. Although it is mostly shallow, there are areas that drop off into dizzying depths that have yet to be determined, with possibly vast underwater cavern systems. . Before the arrival of the Whites in the first half of the nineteenth century, the Venda led an isolated life in the fertile Soutpansberg area. Striking the strips of tuned wood with rubber-headed sticks, a favourite pastime of the old men whose duty is to welcome visitors to the chiefs kraal, plays the instrument. Young women initiates in preparation for marriage perform this distinctive sacred python dance. Close to Thohoyandou in northern Limpopo Province is mystical Lake Fundudzi, one of the sacred sites of Venda's Vhatatsindi people who inhabit the lush, mountainous and fertile lands in this region. "Lake Fundudzi was created by a massive landslide about 20,000 years ago, blocking the flow of the Mutale river and slowly but surely creating this expansive lake" says Nelson Maphaha, our guide and camp host at Fundudzi Culture Camp. This is to honour the python god as part of their initiation into womanhood. Although three rivers flow into Lake Fundudzi, it never overflows. Promotion/Sponsorship- workforrti@gmail.com Follow Me Personally On Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sanchit_saurabh/.Follow Me Personally On Instagram . The rainfall varies between 350mm to 500mm. The young wife was told that the only way to save the people was for her to go into Fundudzi with a pot of beer. Phalaphala The phalaphala is a wind instrument made of the horn of a kudu or and eland. Suggested duration. The ritual fire is lit and kept alive for the duration of the initiation. One of the rivers, the Mutale River, is home to the giant python god of fertility. They are strange half creatures, having only one eye, one arm and one leg, elusive and to be avoided by humans. SA-Venues.com 1999-2022. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Regardless of how it was formed, for centuries Lake Fundudzi has been safeguarded and is sacred to the Vhatatsindi, the People of the Pool. [3], Legend also believes that Lake Fundudzi is protected by a python god living in the mountain. The ancestors believe the lake is guarded by a white crocodile. The ceremony ends with each boy climbing a symbolic pole and shouting out in triumph. TV Covid-19 Certified Swimming Pool Braai/BBQ Area Parking on Premises Jacuzzi FROM $ 32 per night When he died, his spirit turned into a white lion that prowls the forest and keeps guard over his burial place. Credit: NASA images courtesy LANCE MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC. We can be found in the small town of Sibasa just Royal Hills Lodge and Spa is the best place to enjoy luxury and comfort when you visit Thohoyandou. This year it was named as one of the worlds top 14 most haunted bodies of water. The lake is said to be protected by a python god who lives in the hills around the lake. Locals can recount recent tales of a foreign developer who wanted to build a resort on the edge of Lake Fundudzi. Read more. It is wild spinach that is cooked with water or milk and eaten with porridge. Legend around lake Fundudzi around the lake was created by an ancient legend tells us that Cwn is... Course of the Pool out in triumph deforestation, agriculture and development causing... 2 ], legend also believes that lake Fundudzi was formed as result! Through generations god living in the community perform the ritual fire is lit kept! About 5 km by 3 km when full, it was created a. 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