The Sunday Mail
A rainfall forecast by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Climate Services Centre, which revealed that drought and floods might pummel some countries in the region has rekindled an active interest in the ancient art of rain-making.
Throughout the history of humankind, the art of making rain has been practised across the globe.
In recent months, spirit mediums and rainmakers have been busy conducting rain-making ceremonies throughout the country.
The way the rain-making ceremonies are conducted varies from place to place. In some parts of the country, the ceremonies are held in caves whilst in other areas they are conducted under trees that are deemed sacred.
Rain-making trees play an important role in this ancient art. Again, the trees that are used for these ceremonial purposes vary.
For the Nyamweda clan, which conducts its rain-making ceremonies in the Nharira Hills – five hillocks which are located near Norton – the Gwiranemuzvo tree is not only mythical but very special.
The tree, according to members of the clan, has many myths surrounding its existence. According to Mr Israel Kawanzaruwa, there are only five Gwiranemuzvo trees in the country. He further claimed that these trees are only found at five cave openings in the Nharira Hills.
“The trees are found at the entrance of the caves in which we conduct our rain-making ceremonies. Like I said before, this type of tree is not found anywhere else in this country. The tree is sacred and has many mythical features,” Mr Kawanzaruwa said.
Myth has it that this tree is one of the few that survived the biblical Noah’s floods, which are often depicted as a worldwide catastrophe.
In Shona mythology, Noah’s floods are often referred to as Mvura yaRuwe.
The Sunday Mail Society was shown the Gwiranemuzvo tree during a recent tour of the sacred Nharira Hills.
One of the few trees that grow on rocks, the huge tree, which is believed to be several centuries old, stood out amongst the densely forested Chiburi hillock. To get to the tree, one has to navigate a treacherous climb to the summit of the hill.
A stone enclosure which has fallen into ruin is evidence that this particular area was at one time a no-go area. Massive roots which appear to have been glued to the rock formation meanders into rock openings.
Opposite the gigantic tree is a narrow cave opening which leads further into a huge underground clearing which can accommodate as many as 200 people. In the surprisingly well-lit underground cave are century-old grain bins and fireplaces.
“The beer was brewed in this cave and then the rituals would be held under the tree. This is a sacred place which plays an important part in our lives,” added Mr Kawanzaruwa.
Sekuru Friday Chisanyu, a traditionalist, said rain-making is a key part of African traditional beliefs. He, however, bemoaned the lack of understanding for the need of such ceremonies.
“Special rain-making trees such as muhacha and mubvumira are being wantonly cut. Land degradation and pollution are also taking their toll on the sacred trees,” Sekuru Chisanyu said.
According to Sekuru Chisanyu, rain-making ceremonies are more accurate than scientific weather forecasts and cloud seeding.
“After a rain-making ceremony, the rains fall there and then. This signals the start of the rainy season. These scientific weather forecasts are not as accurate,” added Sekuru Chisanyu.
For centuries, rain-making ceremonies have been conducted in communities across the globe.
Spirit mediums were often tasked with leading the ceremonies and rain-makers were often trained in the art for years.
Njelele, also known as Mabweadziva or Matonjeni, is one of the country’s prominent rain-making shrines.
Located outside the Matobo National Park, some hundred kilometres south of Bulawayo, rain-makers from all the corners of the country used to congregate at the shrine as they prayed for the rains.
In Africa, the rain-makers were considered to be rain-making priests and priestesses, and some African tribes even had rain-making clans.
Elsewhere across the world, rainmaking is still practised in some parts of Africa, Australia and New Zealand
