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Mashudu Mambo
DESPITE its small size and seemingly unassuming nature, the rock hyrax, also known as a dassie and locally as imbila/mbira, has garnered various myths and beliefs across different cultures throughout history.
In some African folklore, rock hyraxes are viewed as cunning tricksters capable of shapeshifting. They are sometimes portrayed as stealing crops or playing pranks on humans.
In certain regions of Africa, rock hyraxes are also considered symbols of fertility and rain. Their plump bodies and ability to thrive in harsh environments led some cultures to associate them with abundance and life-giving water.
While the fat and other bodily fluids of rock hyraxes were believed to possess medicinal properties, others believe they are used in witchcraft practices.
A case in point is the incident involving students from Shindi Primary School in Chivi, Masvingo Province. In November last year, they found a rock hyrax, also known as a dassie, in a classroom. This discovery fuelled suspicions of witchcraft among some, as it coincided with reports of students fainting and experiencing hallucinations.
These mammals are believed to have medicinal uses, as they are used in concoctions to treat wounds in both animals and humans. However, their role in society is a source of debate, with some valuing them for their perceived benefits, while others view them as associated with witchcraft.
A traditionalist ,Joshphat Moyo, who is also known as “Khulu Ndumba, claimed that several individuals claiming to be prophets utilize rock hyraxes in the creation of charms.
“These animals are used for various purposes, including the creation of charms by some self-proclaimed prophets. They claim to achieve this by using rock hyraxes in combination with various concoctions,” said Khulu Ndumba.
While acknowledging its negative uses, Khulu Ndumba emphasized the essential qualities possessed by the rock hyrax. He highlighted its application in traditional medicine for treating wounds and livestock diseases.
“Dassies are used in traditional medicine to treat livestock and a variety of wounds or skin conditions. This animal plays a vital role in our lives, helping to reduce diseases that affect our livestock,” said Khulu Ndumba.
Patrick Moyo, a farmer raising around 100 dassies and rabbits, revealed that self-proclaimed prophets make up the majority of his customers.
“Several prophets purchase these dassies and use them in cleansing ceremonies across various villages. However, some fraudulent prophets exploit this practice. They take these mammals, place them in homes, and falsely claim that the residents practice witchcraft,” said Moyo.
Moyo stated that dassies are traditionally used to treat various ailments, including delayed walking in children.
“My grandchild experienced delayed walking. After consulting a traditional healer, we were advised to use dassie hides as part of the treatment. We observed positive results, which my family attributed to the belief that dassies walk shortly after birth,” said Moyo.
Moyo said he keeps several varieties of dassies, some of which are uncommon.
“I breed dassies with various fur colours, including white, black, brown, and gray. Some even exhibit a mix of these colours. My primary purpose in raising these animals is to use their hides to weave blankets,” he said.
Conservationist Brightwell Ncube, believes that the various myths surrounding rock hyraxes are unfounded, emphasizing that these animals possess no supernatural powers.
“While hyraxes lack any special powers, they possess a unique characteristic: a gestation period of seven to eight months, unusually long for their size.
“Remarkably, their offspring are born fully developed and can run and jump within an hour. Rock hyraxes nurse for three months, but they begin nibbling on vegetation as early as the second day. This precocial development, I believe, is what has led some to view them as having medicinal properties.”
Ncube attributed the declining dassie population primarily to predation, not poaching.
“Rock hyraxes are frequent prey for various mountain predators, including leopards, caracals, and eagles, who exploit their vulnerabilities. This predation is a significant factor in their population decline.
“When under attack, these animals instinctively seek refuge in the closest rock crevices, unfortunately, these crevices are often too small to truly protect them from determined predators,” said Ncube.
Online Reporter