Anomalous Lake Funduji is a pearl of South Africa, the water from which cannot be carried away

Lake Funduji is one of the few lakes in South Africa and, according to tourists, the most beautiful. It is located in the South African Republic in the Province of Limpopo, at the Sautrapansberg Mining massif. The dimensions of the lake are only 3 per 1 km, and the depth is 27 meters. But it is difficult to find a reservoir on the African continent, about which so many legends and legends would be composed. Funduji is impressive not only by lovers of beauty and folklore. For limnologists – scientists studying lakes, it is filled with riddles and anomalies.

A lake that gives rise to legends

Lake Funduji is filled with two rivers – Hodoni and Mutal. It does not have a drain, but it is never overflowing. Science cannot yet explain at the expense of what processes the water level in the reservoir is constant at any time of the year. The lake was formed thanks to the landslide, overlapping the course of the Mutale River. By historical standards, this happened recently – “total” 10 thousand years ago.

A funny myth that appeared not so long ago is associated with the lake. He says that in 1955, Professor Henry Bernside with a guide Taker visited the lake with the aim of exploring it. They scored water in several flasks and tightly clogged them. But the next morning they were empty. So it happened several times and it was not possible to take samples.

They say that the scientist and his companion, wanting to at least find out the taste of water, tried it. This curiosity cost them life. Of course, this is just a local bike, invented for entertainment of tourists. Despite this, many guests of Funduji willingly believe in this story and even get water in bottles with them in order to eventually be disappointed.

Funduji and his people

Lake Funduji is sacred for the Vhatatzindi tribe, which belongs to the people of Wendy. Locals connect the lake with the sacred python – the god of fertility. The mythical reptile lived in the mountains by the lake and sometimes crawled to the shore at night to visit the surrounding villages. Under the cover of darkness, Python penetrated the houses to the women of the tribe in order to copulate with them.

The visits of the sacred reptile lasted centuries and the people of Vhatatzindi did not know trouble. But one peasant woman was scared of a huge snake and screamed. The monster was upset and dived into the lake. Python plunged to his very bottom and no longer emerged from the water. This caused a terrible drought that destroyed the crop and cost many lives. The sacred animal has mercy on people only when its offender herself came to the water and rushed into the abyss.

Python accepted the victim and immediately rained. After that, Vhatatzindi annually sacrificed the girl, throwing her into the lake. Over time, this terrible custom has changed. Now the inhabitants of the villages of Funduji are simply arranging a holiday with dancing at the very water. They also pour beer into it, which should appease the deity. It is believed that this ritual Python is enough to give people life -giving moisture.

Another legend talks about a leap wanderer who was refused by the inhabitants of the same village. Leaving, the traveler cursed the settlement and it plunged to the bottom of the lake. In the tribe, Vhatatzindi believe that in good weather, if you are lucky, you can see how the damned village lives its own life. Its inhabitants cultivate the fields, graze cattle and go hunting. The elder of this village is the same god Python who loves women so much.

Funduji and tourism

More recently, the picturesque lake was not among the tourist attractions. It is located in an inaccessible area, where it is not easy to get even to an experienced traveler. For that, the inhabitants of the surrounding villages did not love idle guests too much, dangling with cameras along the banks of their shrine.

But in the last 10 years, everything has changed. Tours are organized to Funduji and you can always meet guests on its shores. Some of the visitors at first glance behave strangely. They become their backs to the water, lean, and look at the lake between their legs. According to local beliefs, everyone who first approaches the lake should do this. Tourists, fallen on a folk flavor, are happy to follow this rite called ukodola.

Representatives of the tribe are now favorable to strangers and offer them souvenirs. Although the older generation does not approve of tourists who do not always respect Funduji. But every year religious reverence is becoming less and less noticeable. Local youth, who was afraid to approach the water 50 years ago, no longer believe in ancient legends.

The threat to the natural monument

The lake is under the protection of the South African authorities. But despite this, human activity affects the state of the natural monument more and more. The expansion of settlements, the landing of trees on the slopes of the nearby mountains, garbage left by tourists – all this affects the quality of water.

Activists who have achieved that Funduji be declared an object of national heritage are unhappy with security activities. They believe that officials do nothing for a unique reservoir. The security status for them is just another way to attract tourists and create new jobs.

Fortunately, the lake will not be able to make a popular resort. His waters are literally teeming with large crocodiles and swimming here is dangerous for life. But the surroundings of Funduji are more and more suffering every year. Next to the lake is the Holy Forest, where the people of the Venda people have long been buried their kings. Now on its perimeter, pines that are used to produce cardboard are planted.

Intervention in the natural balance has led to a change in the ecosystem, which is now on the verge of disappearance. Pines require a huge amount of moisture to grow, drying the ground. Nowadays, the sacred forest is closed to visiting. You can get into it only by receiving special permission. Guests conduct a tour of the only path by local guides.

Mysterious lakes that are at a standstill of scientists are in many countries of the world. For example, in Argentina they found a perfectly round and very deep lake with a floating island.

See also – Gimalayska Lake Roopkund – a cemetery of 500 people who stores its secret