THE MYSTERIOUS MOUNTAIN
THE MYSTERIOUS MOUNTAIN (By Sangwani Chigezero Chibaka)
Since independence, Malawi has always been known as the Warm heart of Africa. Apart from the peace and the heart-warming people, the geographical phenomena has always been the pride of the nation. The country boasts of major tourist attraction sites such as; Lake Malawi and its
islands, Liwonde national park, Majete game reserve, Mpatamanga gorge, Zomba and Nyika plateaus and many more.
But amongst all these, one exceptional site outstands the rest. The magnificent Mulanje Mountain, popularly known as Mount Mulanje is one remarkable natural feature in Malawi. Rising sharply from the surrounding grasslands of Phalombe with an elevation of 3002m, the Mulanje massif is the highest highland in Malawi. The mountain has a unique species of tree popularly known as the Mulanje cedar, and its forest lies at the foot of the mountain covering a total area of 8.5km².
The highest point, Sapitwa peak is so extraordinary such that it induces the formation of rain clouds, making it an important source of rain water for all the rivers that originate from the foothill. Apart from being a home to numerous plant and animal species, the Massif is also a popular spot for hiking and climbing.
Over the past decade, untold tales have been told about the Sapitwa peak. The mountain is locally known as ‘’Chilumba mu mlengalenga,’’ meaning “Island in the sky”. To the natives, it is more than just a spectacular geographical location. Legend has it that the mountain is a dwelling place of ancestral spirits. The spirits reside at the peak, in fact they don’t call it the Sapitwa for nothing. It’s literally translated as “a place where people do not go,” and scaling up the peak is regarded as a death wish.
Stories of people to have mysteriously gone missing on the peak have been told from generation to generation. In September 2003, a Dutch tourist by the name of Linda Pronk went missing after attempting to scale up the peak. In 2009 another tourist, Gabriel Buchmann also went missing on mount Mulanje. ‘’No one has ever reached the peak and came back alive”, the locals will assure you.
There is a strong belief that the spirits control life on the mountain and that they are irritated by whosoever tries to climb the peak. All those people who have strangely gone missing were actually kidnapped by the angry spirits.
Many claim that the peak is haunted, and that the spirits manifest is various ways. A number of people have spotted them in human form, swimming at the Dziwe la Nkhalamba pools. It is believed that just a sight of them bathing at the pools brings you good luck. Numerous people also have also testified to have found already prepared food on the mountain and all one has to do is to just eat the food and never invite friends to help you finish the meal. Failure to finish the meal, or inviting friends to help you finish calls for the wrath of the spirits.
Although the myths can’t be proven scientifically, we also can’t explain the circumstances behind persons that went missing on the mountain. Whether the missing people were kidnapped by the spirits or it was just a mere coincidence is up to you to decide. But if you plan to hike mount Mulanje don’t dare anger the spirits and please remember to eat whatever comes your way.
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| Mount Mulanje |
Since independence, Malawi has always been known as the Warm heart of Africa. Apart from the peace and the heart-warming people, the geographical phenomena has always been the pride of the nation. The country boasts of major tourist attraction sites such as; Lake Malawi and its
 |
| A hiker atop the Mountain |
But amongst all these, one exceptional site outstands the rest. The magnificent Mulanje Mountain, popularly known as Mount Mulanje is one remarkable natural feature in Malawi. Rising sharply from the surrounding grasslands of Phalombe with an elevation of 3002m, the Mulanje massif is the highest highland in Malawi. The mountain has a unique species of tree popularly known as the Mulanje cedar, and its forest lies at the foot of the mountain covering a total area of 8.5km².
The highest point, Sapitwa peak is so extraordinary such that it induces the formation of rain clouds, making it an important source of rain water for all the rivers that originate from the foothill. Apart from being a home to numerous plant and animal species, the Massif is also a popular spot for hiking and climbing.
Over the past decade, untold tales have been told about the Sapitwa peak. The mountain is locally known as ‘’Chilumba mu mlengalenga,’’ meaning “Island in the sky”. To the natives, it is more than just a spectacular geographical location. Legend has it that the mountain is a dwelling place of ancestral spirits. The spirits reside at the peak, in fact they don’t call it the Sapitwa for nothing. It’s literally translated as “a place where people do not go,” and scaling up the peak is regarded as a death wish.
Stories of people to have mysteriously gone missing on the peak have been told from generation to generation. In September 2003, a Dutch tourist by the name of Linda Pronk went missing after attempting to scale up the peak. In 2009 another tourist, Gabriel Buchmann also went missing on mount Mulanje. ‘’No one has ever reached the peak and came back alive”, the locals will assure you.
 |
| The Dziwe la nkhalamba pools |
Many claim that the peak is haunted, and that the spirits manifest is various ways. A number of people have spotted them in human form, swimming at the Dziwe la Nkhalamba pools. It is believed that just a sight of them bathing at the pools brings you good luck. Numerous people also have also testified to have found already prepared food on the mountain and all one has to do is to just eat the food and never invite friends to help you finish the meal. Failure to finish the meal, or inviting friends to help you finish calls for the wrath of the spirits.
Although the myths can’t be proven scientifically, we also can’t explain the circumstances behind persons that went missing on the mountain. Whether the missing people were kidnapped by the spirits or it was just a mere coincidence is up to you to decide. But if you plan to hike mount Mulanje don’t dare anger the spirits and please remember to eat whatever comes your way.
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