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Walter Nyamukondiwa-Kariba Bureau
There is something magnetic about nature, unexplainable, yet soothing, awe inspiring, therapeutic and believed by some to have latent spiritual energy which must be invoked or tapped into.
The scope of humans’ understanding has generally explained nature’s wonders in scientific and religious terms.
Nature never ceases to amaze.
What of boiling water oozing freely from the earth’s crust?
Nestled on the foot of Chimbwatata Hills, just 4km from Binga Centre are the Chimbwatata Hotsprings.
The springs spew hot water like a fountain and have several outlets (inkolo in Tonga).
One of them fires a jet of hot water nearly two metres into the air, with a continuous hissing sound, attesting to the underground pressure pushing out the water.
The other ones are calm, easing out hot water that forms ripples on the surface of the pool formed around the spring.
It has become an attraction to the local community and visitors alike.
They come individually and in groups without missing the chance for a photo shoot .
When this reporter visited the Chimbwatata Hotsprings, people of different walks of life and religious persuasions were making their way in and out of the fenced off area protecting the springs.
The adventurous have been known to bring eggs to experiment on the efficiency of nature’s heating system.
The nature laboratory has not disappointed, providing people with an instant snack.
The water eventually flows down a channel as the wind insidiously quenches its heat, but there are people in other countries who pay thousands for thermal bath spas which sell only luxurious surroundings and hot water.
How much more are they willing to pay for water that is believed to have healing power and offering a connection with latent spiritual energy?
The supposed healing power has not been lost to visitors who fill up bottles and other containers as souvenirs and for applying once they get home.
Said to heal backaches, bones and other ailments, the water is hallowed by many who visit.
Such wonders of nature have become theatres of religious clashes as the African traditional belief systems and mostly Christianity, particularly the apostolic sects, seek to tap into latent spiritual energy found in the springs.
A red cloth is tied just a few centimetres from one of the outlets, signifying beliefs that characterise some of the visitors.
The cloth’s placing suggests a well-calculated move to get as much energy from the source to address family and individual life challenges or for others to get blessings.
Others leave artefacts, while some just make prayers, declaring their wishes on the sacred site.
Pilate Kabome said the springs attracted all kinds of people, with some conducting rituals and some experiments, while others engage in some mischief at the unmanned site.
“There are a lot of rituals conducted at the site, sometimes in broad day light while others come in the dead of the night,” said Kabome.
“Some do despicable things in the fenced area around the springs. Others just come to marvel at the hotsprings.”
A perimeter fence has been erected by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), but entrance has not been restricted.
The place could be a major attraction and generator of revenue from bath spars and other activities.
This is not without precedence as bath spas have been set up at Hot Springs Resort and at spas across the world.
However, setting up such facilities in the African context may need the concurrence of local traditional leadership as there are threats that such moves can result in the springs “drying up”.
Local beliefs say that a spirit medium known as Malila, who hailed from the Manjolo area, about 25km from Binga Centre, would conduct traditional ceremonies at the site.
He was said to disappear at the springs and emerge with a clutch of green mealies and watermelons among other crops, even in the dry season.
Malila would tell his aides and other people in the community to find means to travel to the springs, including buses, and would meet them there.
And, of course, the story has it that each time that happened, they would find Malila already waiting for them at the springs.
It is said the rains would fall on that particular day.
Nature has done its part, but it is now up to man to come up with creative ways of satisfying his desires and make money in the process.
And it is maybe the right time to utilise Chimbwatata Hotsprings for the benefit of the Binga community and beyond.
Online Reporter