adminsmell that engulfs you invokes sacredness and serenity.
Rock rabbits, dik-dik and squirrels hop and hobble on the stones, while on the distant lily-padded sacred pool, flycatcher birds, wasps and bees summersault in effortless aerial battle to drink water and collect nectar.
These are the Tsindi Ruins, the vanguard of the Vanhowe Clan, whose spirits are believed to guard the ruins jealously, hence the recent spirited efforts by the clan to reclaim the land.
Lying a spitting distance from Marondera Town the spectacular ruins, whose history defines culture defines the vaNhowe people, have become the centre of a protracted struggle between the clan and Hunyani Estates.
“The ruins are ours. They define what we are. The white man evicted us and it does not make sense for us to fail to reclaim them after the land reform,” claims the clan.
Zimbabwe is endowed with many sacred places that have had significant bearing on the day-to-day living of people who frequently hold rituals appeasing their departed ancestors, seeking guidance and protection from evil.
Some of the most significant sacred places include the Matopo Hills in Bulawayo, Nyanga Mountain and Chinhoyi Caves (Chirorodziva) in Mashonaland West province, among others.
According to local tradition, trampling of norms need not defile such sacred places and local indigenous people who are familiar with requirements of preserving the areas should occupy the areas.
It is against this background that President Mugabe in his address at the official opening of Murewa GMB Silo Depot in 2000 – gave a directive that local government officials should give back sacred land to the people who were disenfranchised by colonialists.
However, the Vanhohwe Clan of Mashonaland East province is yet to reclaim ownership of the Maganga Estates, situated about 30km north of the town of Marondera, near Bernard Mizeki shrine.
The Vanhowe argue that their ancestors used to reside in Maganga Estate – which is now under the lease of Hunyani Agro-Forests – and constructed “Svingo Yetsindi Dzimbahwe” (Tsindi Ruins) that are not only sacred, but also a tourist attraction.
There is also a sacred pool called “Dziva raNyamhita,” which derives its name from a great auntie of the vaNhohwe who mysteriously disappeared in that pool.
Legend has it that Nyamhita was childless, but loved her two young cousins dearly. One day she reportedly took them to the pool for a bath, and the trio mysteriously vanished into the water.
However, the following morning and during subsequent days, Nyamhita was reportedly seen strutting the length and breaths of the pool on top of the water holding the two toddlers’ hands.
The VaNhohwe Clan led by George Farayi Siyawamwaya last week held a meeting with Mashonaland East Provincial Governor Aenius Chigwedere seeking resettlement at Maganga Estates.
Siyawamwaya is currently settled at Maganga, but without an offer letter and is adamant that he his clan should be settled there as Hunyani Agro-Forests operations are defiling the sacred place.
He also alleges that Maganga Estates – which is State land – has been sold by Hunyani to British American Tobacco for gum tree harvesting and tobacco farming.
Siyawamwaya said that in accordance to their Nhohwe Chieftainship, every year they have to appease their ancestors through ritual ceremonies like “Doro Remvura” (rain making ceremony), “Doro Rechipwa, Remushashe, Rechando,” among many others.
According to Siyawamwaya, the Vanhohwe Clan were driven off from Maganga Estates by white colonialists in 1945, and the whole clan went to Murehwa for resettlement.
They made their first request for resettlement in the area on August 22, 1982 through the then Resident Minister, the late Rwizi Ziyenge.
There have been many years of trying to solve the matter through verbal and non-minute meetings with the Marondera district administrator’s office and ruling Zanu-PF provincial leadership.
To that effect, the district administrator admitted in a letter to the manager of Maganga Estates dated October 15, 2001 that the area belonged to the Gomwe (Nhohwe) Chieftainship who happened to be the Siyawamwaya family.
The letter also authorised the clan to brew traditional beer and carry out their ceremonies in the Maganga area.
Former Marondera District Administrator Fortunate Muzulu was summoned to give a background to the dispute in the ownership of the Maganga Estates.
Muzulu said the Maganga Estates was State land that was reserved for forestry and currently under the lease of Hunyani Agri-Forests.
“The area was occupied by landless peasants during the time of farm invasions, but they were later removed to 10 miles area (between Marondera and Chihota communal area) to await resettlement in properly designated areas.
“The majority of them were eventually resettled elsewhere, but Siyawamwaya remained resolute and was adamant that he should be resettled in Maganga as that’s where his ancestors resided,” said Muzulu.
Siyawamwaya eventually returned to Maganga Estate, and the current Marondera District Administrator James Chiwaro and the local councillor later authorised resettlement of people there.
However, Hunyani obtained an eviction order against the settlers who were ordered off the Estate.
“Siyawamwaya has since returned and settled there but surprisingly now with 48 other families and they don’t have offer letters.
“The issue at hand is that they want to claim the rights to the Nhohwe Chieftainship while they are at their traditional area, which is sandwiched between the Svosve and Mangwende Chieftainships,” said Mrs Muzulu.
Siyawamwaya argues that through the Marondera Magistrates’ Court (case number 1312/10) on November 19, 2010, he – as the plaintiff – claimed an order of eviction and costs against Hunyani Agri-Forests.
“However, Hunyani did not respond to the summons and this translates to default of court and admittance of the claim (sic),” said Mr Siyawamwaya, who has since taken up the issue with the High Court.
He added: “As this area is being controlled by the Vanhohwe spirit mediums, these people’s habits are causing depletion and destruction of natural resources.
“This includes unnecessary hunting, cutting down of superstitious trees (sic), practising Christianity worship in medium-spirit restricted areas, bee harvesting and promiscuity.”
Governor Chigwedere said he was one person who immensely respected tradition, but did not advocate for what the Siyawamwaya family was doing in breaking the law in trying to follow tradition.
“As it stands, if you don’t have offer letters, you are squatters. Anyhow, the matter is still before the High Court and for me to make a commitment towards your formal resettlement would be subjudice,” said Cde Chigwedere.
He said since Siyawamwaya was interested in the Chieftainship, what would happen if he lost the bid and has already been settled at Maganga? Cde Chigwedere said the ideal situation at the moment
was for Siyawamwaya to be resettled elsewhere while fighting for the Chieftainship, with periodic visits to Maganga to conduct traditional rituals.
“I will be sending the district administrator and the lands committee to Maganga to assess the situation and how you are living, and ask for their recommendations,” he said.
However, Chigwedere – a well known historian and traditionalist -did not mince his words concerning the Nhohwe (Mangwende) Chieftainship, which he said dates back to more than 300 years ago.
He said the Chieftainship rightfully belongs to the Moyo Muturikwa Clan, and neither the Moyo Muvhima nor the incumbent Moyo Muzukuru, who was a son to Muturikwa’s sister but ascended the throne after selling out and gaining favour from the colonialists.
Online Reporter