WUWULI
This village, which is two miles south of Morgenster, is situated in a deep and narrow ravine immediately west of the Rugutsi Kopje, which forms such a prominent feature in the landscape of the Mowishawasha Valley, as seen from the mission. Formerly this place was of considerable importance to the local Makalanga, for during the times of the Matabele raids the natives between this place and Zimbabwe took refuge in the very extensive caves which run under the north side of the ravine. A strong perennial stream flows through the caves. Here, in time of danger, women, cattle, and grain were hidden. When Mr. and Mrs. Bent visited this village, in 1891, the natives were opposed to their inspecting the caves, and they were only permitted to go a certain distance inside. Now that raidings have ceased the caves are deserted, save for bats, and we were permitted to view the caves without any demur on the part of the villagers.
The present chief is Bungu, a brother of the present dynastic chief Mogabe by another mother. The former Mogabe, Chipfuno, resided at this kraal as well as at Zimbabwe, and it was here he was shot in 1892.
When visiting this village we saw a man undergoing a cure by blood-letting. Incisions were made in the flesh of the leg, and horns of yearling cattle placed over them. The air was then sucked out of the horns through small holes in the top, and the holes were then stopped with wax. The horns clung to the flesh, owing to the vacuum which drew the blood. Bungu’s attention was drawn to an old iron-smelting furnace, on which was the usual female breast and furrow pattern. He said the natives did not smelt iron now because they could buy their garden hoes from the white men, and they were therefore saved the trouble of making them.