Myths and Legends

As the waters of Zambezi thunder Victoria Falls,Zimbabwe stands smiling bonded by its mysteries and myths.The same ore or shadow which propound the country was the same will used in the country’s drive for independence.

Many people talk of stories which have become just tales with time.ZimbabweOnLine explores some of these legends and myths which have become hymns.

Ambuya Nehanda the spirit of Freedom is known to have escaped death several times.
Apparently the rope mopped on her neck could not kill her as she clutched a small packet in her hands.She was only executed when this packet was taken off her.Her story was later used to install black pride.Many people who talk of Ambuya, “describe her as a spirit”.They feel it is better known that the woman who was hanged was not Nehanda but a woman possessed by Nehanda.Mbuya Nehanda was reburied at Zimbabwe National Hero’s Acre along with Mbuya Nehanda was a man known as Sekuru Kaguvi who was also executed alongside her!

Another great mystery of Zimbabwe is known as “Six to six”apparently the time it took a snake to cross a road into a river from a mountain.The snake is believed to have been a spirit which occupied Mazowe Mountain protecting its descendant's.Out of anger (which is not clear)the spirit retired into the river as a snake never to been seen again.

A similar tale involves the unknown,in fact the unexplained which took place at Hot Springs.Legend detects that liberation fighters were served food by simply visiting several shrines and offering thanks!Soon after clasping their hands fresh cooked meals would appear!This mystery is reported to have stopped just before independence in 1980.

During early eighties,a man known as Gwasela terrorised Matebeleland.He was a one man Rambo,who refused to accept election results which gave Zanu PF the leadership of the country.He was a fanatic of the opposition party who devoted his life to install fear and try to desturbilize the country.He is said to have been a master of deception and camouflage as he often mixed with unsuspecting crowds watching his favourite sport
,soccer almost every weekend.Gwasela was shot after a gun battle with the Zimbabwean Police but rumour say , ‘they killed the wrong man and Gwasela is happily married in South Africa.

Then come,Mount Nyanga,the highest structure in Zimbabwe known for its ability to vanish people especially children.Scores of people are reported to have disappeared without trace.Local’s believe the mountain has the ability to suck and initiate disappearance of those with foul mouths who speak against it or its people.

Lake Kariba,once the highest man-made lake in Africa is also associated with myth and mystery.The lake is associated with the River God,Nyaminyami.The mythical god is said to have been enraged by the displacement of his people which led to major difficulties during construction of the dam in revenge.Around 80 people lost their lives when storms from Zambezi River collapsed Kariba. Even the sun shunned construction of Kariba.Subsequent soaring temperatures forced workers to house their tools in cooling buckets.Displaced animals were rescued from the Lake in what is now known as Operation Noah!

The myths on this page are only a piece of the cake.More unsubstantiated stories exist in Zimbabwe.There are many pieces of stories propelling on rain-making,lightning manufacture,mermaids and missing people who turn out years later as spirit mediums.