SUKU DINGLE
This is situated but a few yards from the left-hand side of the lower path leading from Zimbabwe to Morgenster, and is about 400 yds. north-east of Lumbo Rocks, about two miles from Zimbabwe. The dingle runs east and west, and is deeply wooded and narrow. This is a good spot for fern collectors. Down the dingle runs a happy little stream in perennial flow. The stream’s bed is formed of white clay. The sides of the banks have been trenched extensively for a perfectly white soil. This is used by the natives for whitewashing the outside of huts and for making the check patterns on their interior walls. It is quite possible that the ancients knew of this spot, and used the material in making their more choice pottery. The natives know of no other place in this district where the same material is obtainable, and they come from many miles’ distance to fetch it.
THE CHIPO-POPO FALLS, NEAR ZIMBABWE
RAPPING THE MOJE-JE-JE, OR “MYSTIC BAR,” ZIMBABWE
BINGURA’S[26] KRAAL
This kraal, which is situated two and a half miles west-south-west of Zimbabwe, is well worth a visit, the walk itself being interesting and the situation of the kraal romantic. Possessors of cameras will find at this kraal ample opportunities of making “shots” at native life, as well as of taking typical views of the Zimbabwe scenery. The path to Bingura’s crosses the valley lying between Havilah Camp and Rusivanga, and then leads up through native plantations to the broad nek on the horizon between Rusivanga and a kopje just west of the western end of the Bentberg. On the nek is another Mojejèje, or “Mystic Bar,” crossing the path, where it passes over open granite. The ascent to the nek is for almost a mile, and the path from the nek dips down the western side of the ridge into a wide valley, and passes through the farmstead of a Basuto mission-boy named “James.”
The kopje on the summit of which Bingura’s kraal is located is of horse-shoe shape, and the huts of the kraal are along the line of summit at intervals among huge boulders. The almost inaccessible position this kraal occupies, and its rocky surroundings, is also paralleled by the now deserted kraal of Baranazimba, which is on the summit of a very high hill protected by precipitous cliffs, and lies on the right-hand side of the path leading from Zimbabwe to Morgenster. The men from this kraal, like those of Chenga’s, have not been spoilt by contact with white men as are many of the men of Mogabe’s kraal. So far Bingura has not yet left his natural stronghold, but the probability is that once the neighbouring fields become poor through over-cultivation he may, like his neighbours, move his kraal into the open country.
Starting to ascend the hill, one hears at a hundred yards’ distance the noise of falling water in a ravine at the north foot of the hill. The path ascends steeply up fissures and along narrow ledges, and over slippery slopes of black granite worn white with the passing of many feet. Bingura’s hut is about half-way up the hill, and here on a small flat area are about a dozen huts, and on still higher ledges on the north and west faces of the hill are more dwellings almost hidden, even when near to them, among huge boulders, also many circular clay granaries perched on rocks out of the reach of white ants. The large number of these granaries testifies to the industry of Bingura’s people. The tree boughs were festooned with mealie cobs drying in the sun. A large, flat rock was covered with locusts, and quantities of melons, pumpkins, and gourds were laid outside the huts. Women were winnowing rapoka corn and cleaning rice. Bingura’s youngest wife, a fine and very good-looking young woman, was sewing pink beads in chevron pattern on to her skin apron, and every man, woman, and child appeared to have some occupation. There were more manifest signs of business here than at any other kraal in the district. Here they have less regard for the need of apparel than any of the inhabitants round about. Bingura is a small man of about fifty years of age, but as agile as a buck, and has a quick shrewd glance. This is in every respect the most interesting village in this district.