Howick Falls - Natal Midlands
The Howick falls are easily accessible for anyone falling some 90 m and
the view from the top is definitely impressive
The Howick falls situated in Howick is also known as kwaNogqaza (the tall
one)/ The Howick Falls is a place of mystery and strange happenings. Situated
within the pretty historic town of Howick,
it is one of the major tourist attractions of the KwaZulu Natal
Midlands. It is also feared by many local Zulu-speakers as the abode
of spirits and a giant, mythical snake-like creature known as the inkanyamba.
Sian Hall gets to grips with this slippery customer.
The great pool below Howick
Falls is regarded as a place of danger and magic by local Zulu-speakers
and sangomas (witch doctors or diviners). This immense pool is never still.
It boils and shudders with the thundering torrents of water that spill
into it from 300ft (98m) above. For them it is an ancient place of power
where they come to pray and offer sacrifices of chickens and goats in the
water to inkulunkulu (the Great God), to the amathongo (spirits of the
ancestors) and to the inkanyamba. It is said that only sangomas may approach
the pool, while the uninvited stand in jeopardy of being killed by the
creature.
The Howick falls are easily accessible for anyone falling some 90 m and
the view from the top is definitely impressive. For those of you a bit more
energetic Howick offers some worthwhile short trails to the bottom of the
Howick Falls. The Howick town itself offers a good selection of antiques,
arts and crafts.
Howick Falls Gorge Walk
Start this interesting walk through the thick undergrowth
on the stone steps from the Howick Falls Gorge Walk sign at the bottom of
Harvard Street and wind your way down to the pool, at the bottom of the Falls.
You will meet up with the trickling Karkloof Spruit
and see it meet the Umgeni River on your way to the base of the Howick
Falls. The walk there and back takes a leisurely hour or two, returning
along the same path to the start. |
