The Sunday Mail
Jinda Mutinhima
WHEN Chief Chinamhora laid claim to parts of Harare,many people dismissed him as a greedy attention-seeker.Had he been granted audience, he might have explained some of the historical and mythical issues pertaining to the eastern parts of Harare.
The area that is present day Msasa, Greendale, Mabvuku-Tafara and rural Chinamhora was inhabited by the Chinamhora people of the Soko Murehwa totem.
Their last known great leader was Derere Godzongo who was involved in wars with other chiefs like Seke over boundaries and sacred places.
The most notable places were Domboramwari in Epworth and a place known as PaMutandizi in Msasa. Mutandizi is located in a depression along the Harare-Mutare Road, that is where the infamous 11 months bridge is situated over Mukuvisi River.
Derere Gonzongo would retreat to his vantage point called Rwutombo rwa Derere Gonzongo, where he could see his enemies from afar. Present day Msasa Park, Hatfield and Epworth could be viewed from the place now called Letombo Park. Each time the Chinamhora wanted to perform rituals such as kunyika mamera, they would use the Mutandizi area.
They had taken over the area from other tribes through war.
Derere Gonzongo was buried on what is now Caledonia Farm.
During colonialism, the owner of the farm argued that the land should not be acquired for city expansion as he was preserving historical sites of the Chinamhora.
A number of streets in Old Mabvuku are named after Chinamhora leaders such as Derere, Gonzongo, Dumukwa and Chinamhora, among others.
When the Chinamhora were displaced during colonisation, the road linking Harare and Mutare was constructed.
The road cut through the Mutandizi site. Remember, rituals were conducted for generations at this site, not only by the Chinamhora but by other clans who were there before them.
According to conservative traditionalists, the wandering spirits of the area have been responsible for the accidents at the bridge.
Many stories have been told, including that of a woman with a child on her back who is seen crossing the road, or a toddler crawling across the road. It is said when motorists try to avoid them, they plunge into the river or crash into oncoming traffic.
It is said a certain car plunged into the river beginning of the year and was only discovered 11 months later by a fisherman whose rod had hooked the tyres.
The victims of the accident were still trapped in the car.
At the “Pool of death” in Epworth near Domboramwari, it is said similar events happen. That area was used for ritual purposes by the Seke, Chinamhora and other clans.
The site was sacred but after colonisation, quarry mining was conducted there.
Just as in the case of Kariba Dam where many people perished mysteriously during its construction, many workers at the quarry mine drowned as the Pool of death emerged.
The angry spirits have also caused the deaths of a lot of people who throw themselves into the pool to commit suicide. Others drown while swimming.
These places need cleansing.
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