Crocodiles - Are they today's burgeoning pets?

Growing up in the grimy lands of Gokwe, I witnessed three horrific incidents at a local dam from where our livestock used to drink water.

The dam, big as it was, had many crocodiles that often devoured villager’s livestock.

The first incident happened when a fellow friend, who was seated at the edges of the dam washing his hands, was splashed with water by a crocodile. He fell into the dam and got bitten on his right leg. It had to take our sacrifice to liberate our friend who was deeply in pain and struggling to break away.

The young crocodile ultimately gave up on its intended prey and to date, my friend still has the edifying scars of that reptile’s teeth.

The second event occurred when I was also watching my brothers take a bathe in the same dam. A crocodile attacked one of my brothers and tearing off his fleshy tissue in the abdomen. He still has the revealing scars inflicted on him that day.

The last one involved my dog - Killer. I watched in agony as it whined in pain, tumbling in and out of the deep water after a crocodile had got it while it cooled itself in the waters. That was the last time I saw my dog.

These are the events that I witnessed. Several others have been published in newspapers and magazines about people who would have been attacked by these vicious reptiles.

Rapidly increasing, however, in the leafy suburbs of Harare, are these reptiles, largely kept by people purportedly as pets in their ponds.

The Herald recently reported two incidents where these reptiles were discovered and allegedly kept by one businessman and a resident, for unknown reasons, in ponds behind their houses. What boggles one’s mind, is the similarities of the two incidents where the two crocodiles were discovered in the leafy suburbs of the city, and kept by eminent people.

But to imagine a crocodile at a home, where children and pets like dogs play freely, but unlike my friend and dog are not harmed is just but a mystery. The question that lingers at the back of people's minds is: Why does someone keep such a vicious and unpredictable reptile at home?

One Harare resident who refused to be named said while people should not be encouraged to keep dangerous species, let's be wary of unnecessarily suspecting people of harbouring sinister motives for us to peacefully co-exist with others in the community.

“Some of us are very suspicious and superstitious. We want to associate everything with witchcraft. It’s their pets, let it be so,” she said.

 Inspector Jessie Banda, the Officer-In-Charge Public Relations Department at Police General Headquarters shared the same sentiments, adding that it could simply be their ability to keep such reptiles that made people to rear them.

“People involved in these activities have money and sometimes have nothing better to spend it on. If we look at crocodiles, they eat lots of meat and these people buy it in abundance because they can afford to do so,” she said.

However, the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA)’s Mbuya Martha Katsande had a different view altogether. Although Mbuya Katsande did not associate the reptile to witchcraft, she said people needed to uphold their cultural beliefs and stick to those. She added that crocodiles were not only dangerous but also contained poisonous substances in them and maybe these people might be using the poison for unclear purposes.

“The reason why some areas are failing to receive rain is because we tend to do things not desirable in our culture. This is the reason why some regions are dry while others receive abundant rainfall,” she said.

Mr. Ronald Magora, a Sunningdale resident in Harare, said people had become so inventive that we cannot dispel the possibility of keeping the reptile for witchcraft purposes.

“Many creatures such as snakes, hyenas, jackals, and horses have been used by people as charms for the enhancement of their riches. So seeing someone keeping a crocodile as a pet, one can be excused for thinking that the “pet” is being kept for witchcraft or wizardry purposes,” he said.

Retired Major General Edward Mbewe, the Public Relations Manager for National Parks and Wildlife, said there has been an upsurge of people keeping crocodiles as pets, which they rear in their expansive yards. These people capture the crocodiles whilst they are still young but as they grow they tend to wander around and even sneak out to hunt for food when not well fed.

 “We as Parks and Wildlife are conducting a sweep-up operation to clear this upsurge. However, we are failing to detect where these reptiles are being kept. Although my office has been inundated with calls from members of the public, giving us tip-offs on people keeping crocodiles, it is however difficult to carry out a door-to-door search as this requires police assistance.

"It is an offence in terms of the Parks and Wildlife Act to for one to keep such harmful reptile without permits," he added.

He however said there has never been, in the Zimbabwean history, a success story of people who have managed to tame a crocodile because of their instinctive behaviour and unpredictability. He urged those who wanted to practice crocodile farming to first seek the licence from Parks and Wildlife offices.

Our lives and the stars......

Patinas Mari* wakes up one Sunday morning and with nothing to do, he goes to the local shopping centre, picks up a local magazine, and a weekly.

 After reading the magazine’s sports page, he flips through its pages and his eyes stumbles on the horoscope column. Something brings a smile on the face of this pent-up bachelor – Venus, his star. “Venus is shining on romance, much to the welcome of those who have been suffering from loneliness.

The single are more likely to meet their love during this month. Financial issues are set to receive a major boost towards mid-month...,” it partly reads.

 Eureka! He shouts with the conviction of a loafer who has won a lotto jackpot. His mood changes from gloom to jovial one only because of the agreeable predictions of his star.

“Finally, I’m gonna get ma’self a chick,” he muses.

 Patinas is among many Zimbabweans, whose dreams and livelihoods depend on these pieces of divination.

 A caption in the horoscope column of a magazine can make one work harder, propose love and act in a manner that one does not normally do. Admittedly, though painful, it doesn’t hurt to say I am one of these. At the mere sight of my star, I’m sometimes left feeling a little bit relieved after reading happy forecasts about how my life will turn out that week or month.

 Horoscopes have guided the way some people budget their finances. When afforded the chance to peruse a magazine, their first port of call is the column where they live their lives with the stars.

 When this magazine stopped publishing the horoscope column, several readers wrote letters, requesting the column back. This shows how important the column is to some people. After the departure of Ziracha as The Outpost’s zodiac columnist, came in the Zundeman and many are just in love with the column.

Though zodiacs have become a favourite in most magazines, do these predictions really foretell our lives? If so, how do those who write horoscopes come to “know” about what fate awaits us shortly? 

The Outpost sought to decipher the myth behind the stars. The Encyclopedia defines Zodiac unfortunately or fortunately the definition tends to take a rather clinical overtone. It defines Zodiac as a divination based on the theory that, movements of the celestial bodies (stars, planets, sun, and moon) influence human affairs and determines events.

 It further contends that in the past, the Chaldaeans and Assyrians believed all events to be predetermined so they would use the stars for example to interpret events. This, however, was arrested with the rise of Christianity.

 Others also argue that the horoscope originated in Babylon and then passed to Greece, India, China, and Islamic nations. They say there are two branches of astrology, namely - the natural and judicial. The former is concerned with observations and theory and the latter deals with foretelling events in individual lives of people through a horoscope.

 In Africa, the study of horoscope has been there, but it is said people do not realise that what they do amounts to be in keeping with the facets of the horoscope. In the Shona culture, marrying in November is taboo. And performing any cultural rites in that month is regarded profane. Thus, many a time, we often hear people saying, “Don’t worry about his behaviour, can’t you see the moon is still in its infancy (mwedzi mutete).”

 Whether we know it or not, this is living our lives by psychic means. Arguably true, if one studies people’s moods, he or she will realise that they change depending on the time of the year. With the passing of months, some become jovial, sullen while others become mentally challenged.

 Zundeman, once The Outpost horoscope columnist, argues that horoscopes started in Africa before the advent of the calendar. He says people used to study the movement of the stars and the moon to tell whether it was January or March, winter or summer. Europeans, who later wrote their own pieces of horoscope, actually usurped this innovation from Africa, he contends. He took his examples further, referring to the Bible.

“In the Bible, the three Wiseman from the east were led to Bethlehem by a star, which led them to Jesus’ birthplace. That was horoscope.”

 He says horoscope writers often interpret stars differently, mainly because of their cultural divergences. For instance, he explains, wearing red clothes in Asia and Europe may mean love. But in Africa that can be construed as the readying by someone to perform spiritual rites or a premonition for disaster.

 “I wonder why people celebrate Valentines Day in Africa,” argues Zundeman. “It has got nothing to do with African tradition because of the colour issue. In fact, it is no use for Africans to read horoscope columns from Western magazines and marrying them off to their lives because of the cultural differences between them and us.”

 He says the issue of believing in the zodiac depends, just like religion, with one’s faith.

“If one believes that they work, then they will work for him.”

But what do Christians say? Prosper Zvinya does not believe in horoscope and attaches it to Satanism. He says those who believed in it doubt God’s existence.

 “You can not rely on horoscope to know your future because God already knows what’s going to happen to you. Satanism has encroached into our society and people are shifting from believing in God to worshipping idols,” says Zvinya, who believes in Christianity.

 In an article published by a local daily, one British astronomer, Dr Jacqueline Mitton of the Royal Astronomical Society, remarked that all the dates used for zodiac signs are wrong and a 13th constellation was missing from the astrologer’s charts. She argued that star signs are approximately one month off and most people who think their sign is Sagittarius are actually born under the little known constellation of Ophiuchus, the god of healing. Constellation is the arrangement of planets in the zodiac at a particular time, believed by astrologers to influence human character or events on earth.

 “The zodiac is constantly changing,” she asserted, adding that the ancient star chart that helps astrologers track the sun’s movement in the sky, the sun passes through one more constellation in addition to the traditional twelve and the time when the sun passes through the traditional twelve is different from what the horoscope said.

" Astrologers, who divided the sky into 12 parts, giving each star cluster an equal portion, drew the dates for each star sign up over 2000 years ago. But constellations cover areas of varying size, and the sun’s time in each constellation differs."

 According to astronomers, the sun’s movement through the sign Scorpio lasts only seven days while it spends over a month each under Virgo, Taurus, and Pisces. It follows then that if her arguments are anything to go by, believing in stars is more or less a waste of time.

 But Blessing Gobvu of Morris Depot still maintains that stars are real and he will continue to revere their influence in his life.

 As he flipped through the magazine, which I had given him, he went straight to the horoscope column and a smile furrowed on his face as he read its contents.

 The star had predicted a wonderful month for the police instructor.

  *not his real name

Of wood that turned into stone...

Did you know wood can turn into stone?

Yes, that block of wood that you use for firewood changing into a very hard stone.

In Guruve, Mazambara area of Chief Chisungo, this reporter visited the place were wood turned into stone and saw the amazing wonder.

Though this might baffle many, the Chief Curator at the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe Dr. Kundishora Chipunza said this was as a result of a normal form of fossilisation.

“This is synonymous in valleys and is caused by a combination of intense heat, very wet conditions, mudslides, and earth movement, which occurs over a million years.”

He said wood that turns into stone is referred to as petrified wood. In fact, petrified wood is a fossil in which the organic remains have been replaced by minerals in the slow process of turning to stone.

This petrification process, Dr. Chipunza said, generally results in a quartz chalcedony mineralisation. Special rare conditions must be met for the fallen wood to be transformed into precious fossil wood or petrified wood. In general, the fallen trees get buried in an environment free of oxygen (anaerobic environment), which preserves the original tree structure and general appearance. The other conditions include regular access to mineral-rich water flowing through the wood, replacing the organic tree structure with inorganic stone. The end result is petrified wood, a tree, with its original basic structure in place, replaced by stone.

Petrified wood is the most well-known result of this process by which organic material is converted into stone by impregnation with silica. This rare form of fossilisation is called petrifaction, petrification, or silicification. Dr. Chipunza also said that petrified wood was also found in different other places in Zimbabwe.

Apart from the Guruve area, petrified wood is available in Charama Plateau in Gokwe, Mana Pools along the Zambezi Valley, and Sentinel Range in Beitbridge that also had dinosaur fossils.

“Petrified wood is of high scientific value and it is the best thing that can happen to evidence. We, archaeologists, are just like criminologists because all we need is evidence and that evidence is found in these fossils.

“Fossils are a pointer to climatic changes and the knowledge about the past climatic conditions, vegetation, plants invertebrates living during that era can be imprinted on fossil remains,” said Dr. Chipunza adding that tertiary institutions, tourists as far as Europe always visit these sights hence their need to be protected.

Besides educational use, petrified wood can be cut and polished to make curios that can be sold for money. For the museums and monuments departments, these fossils have also been a source of income, as people have to pay a fee to exploit these fossils.

 Dr. Chipunza said that it was an offence to extract fossils from national monuments hence the police have a duty to perform when it comes to the protection of these fossils. But, Dr. Chipunza contends that these fossils in Guruve are the safest ones because of the cultural setup in lower Guruve. He also said they always talk to the Office-In-Charge ZRP Mushumbi Pools to be on the lookout of those who might possibly extract these fossils.

“We should actually be cross-referencing because policing of monuments is a very big task which needs knowledge and understanding of what one will be guarding against.”

Further researches by this reporter revealed that apart from the mentioned uses of petrified wood, it has mystical properties, healing properties and could be used for magical purposes. I was also said to be associated with the Zodiac.

Mystical properties: Petrified wood is a stone that is good for grounding and stabilizing one’s emotions. It is particularly used for calming survival-based fears as it assists one in assessing their practical side for answers, then offering business success and a good stone for general protection. It is an excellent gem for leaders. It has endured the ravaging changes of time and become stronger as you will ask for its help in your leadership.

Healing Properties: Petrified wood also stabilizes general health and body’s defences. Physically, it is beneficial for the bones, backaches, shin, and hair. Healers have used petrified wood on atrophied limbs and to relieve paralysis. It can help align one’s spine and gives control over one’s bodily functions. A petrified wood elixir will add thickness and shine to one’s hair.

Magical Purposes: Petrified wood consists of ancient trees that a millennium ago was covered with mineral-rich water: the water slowly dissolved the wood and replaces it with the different minerals within the water. Being that, it is a fossil as well as due to its great antiquity, it may be carried and utilized in spells designed to extend a lifespan or to increase our enjoyment and evolution within our lives. It is also quite helpful in rites to recall past-life incarnations.

Zodiac: Petrified wood is a stone of any sign and it connects with the earth element. To dream of petrified wood is a signal for the need to do away with any non-productive life patterns, relationships, or ideas.

Given all these uses, which are however not proven here in Zimbabwe, there might be a need for a serious protection of the fossils.

A Zimbabwean map on a boulder baffles the community

The community of Chivhu’s Chambara area under Chief Nyoka is baffled with the existence of a Zimbabwean map seemingly curved on a boulder in the bush. 

Many questions are beginning to be raised by the locals as to who curved that map and when; for what reason it was put there and if a person had curved it, what could have the motive been? 

More surprising is the fact that it is the younger generation that has the knowledge of the existing map with the elderly only getting the interest upon being interviewed by this reporter. 

This reporter took a sojourn to Manyene area visited the map area in Chambara and as sure as eggs are eggs, the map is neatly curved on a boulder with some suggesting that it was brought from somewhere and was stuck using some adhesive to the boulder and a closer look at it can confirm this theory. 

But interviews with the elders in the area revealed that they did not even know of the existence of the map with those who grew up herding cattle in the area knowing the map and some saying it has been in existence since the 70s. 

Mr. Rex Matova who is the Village Head of Matova Village who has stayed in the area for some time was also not aware of the map. “I have not heard of that map. It’s actually my first time to hear it from you. I will have to visit the area to see it for myself,” he said.

 Another elder in the area Mr. Mungofa Ruziye knows of the boulder but could not decipher the Zimbabwean map on it.

“We used to sit on it and didn’t know there was a Zimbabwean map on it. When we were born it was there,” said Mr Ruziye. 

He also reckons that the area where the map is situated was believed to be sacred. “Some people never want to reach that area saying the area because of its sacredness. Close to the area, there was a pool where a young boy was abducted by a mermaid, and most young men-children who go there get lost while herding cattle (chadzimira). I believe it’s a sacred area given what has happened in the past. It is only that people no longer care about their old habits or events as well as what surrounds them but they now care more about their welfare,” he said. 

Mr. Virimayi Rudzuna of Mundandi Village has been in the area for quite some time but only hears children saying “mombe dzarasika kumap yeZimbabwe” (cattle got strayed where the Zimbabwean map is) but he admits he is still to visit the place. 

Though the elders in the area are not in the know of the place, the younger generation has many interpretations to it.

“This could have been a mark left during the colonial era by the whites and might be used as a peg for some minerals or something of importance in the area. We might be sitting on diamonds here gentlemen,” said Trema Chinanayi, adding that his brothers and sisters had taken samples of the soil and stones in the area for tests in Namibia and Botswana though nothing of mineral value was detected in the samples. 

Tremor Chinanayi who grew up in the area and is the person who accompanied this reporter to the map said he was moved by the fact that no one was taking any action on the map and when they gathered as a family one Christmas holiday they discussed about it. 

“We drove to the area but got lost until we took one of the village boys who showed us the map. We again visited the place the next holiday and still, questions remained as to whether there was any progress on that discovery but to no avail. As a family we felt that the map might be a semblance of some important phenomenon,” said Chinanai.

He even tried to take the issue to the Museums and Monuments where he was also told that his discovery coincided with that of another spirit medium which talked of an African map in Mutoko. It is said the spirit medium also mentioned of the Zimbabwean map in Chivhu but could not mention the actual area.

“The story became more interesting and thought really the map was a semblance of something big.” 

They (Museums and Monuments) wanted proof of a photo of the map so that they could visit the place unfortunately upon trying to download the photos from the phone, they were walloped by a computer virus and his efforts were then dampened but not forever as he was to take us to the ‘map’. 

To other locals, the place is already acting as a tourist place. One teacher at Zimondi Primary School in Chivhu, Mr. Amos Masona last year took his grade seven pupils to the ‘map’ after they had completed their Grade Seven Examinations just as an outing to appreciate what the area has.

Masona believes it was the work of Bushmen. This he says it is because of many rock paintings in the area, which are attributed to the Bushmen. But the question is, could the Bushmen have knowledge of the boundaries of our country or it was mere coincidence?

Other locals interviewed alleged the existence of a base camp during the war and suggested that the comrades could have curved the map during their pastime.

Despite many different explanations and theories by various people, the map still exists and something has to be done about it. For that reason, this reporter sought to find out from the custodians of such relics - Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe. 

The Chief Curator at the Museums and Monuments, Dr. Kundishora Chipunza said as the Museums and Monuments, they had not heard of the said ‘map’. He, however, furnished this magazine that there was a map of Africa discovered somewhere in Bikita and the place is now commonly referred to as dombo reAfrica. He said just like the Chivhu Map, he suspects it was the hand of nature. 

“Nature is the best artist and we, therefore, suspect this map is the work of nature. If the stories we are getting are true about the Africa Map in Bikita, it is said to be in exact scale, but nobody had a hand on it except nature itself,” he said.

“We will definitely visit the place with a view of protecting it in its natural state because if it is not protected people tend to temper with it and it will no longer be natural.”

It is also their belief that many other natural characteristics around the country have not been reported or have been made known. The role of the Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe is to confirm them as national monuments. The locals should make sure these are reported about. 

Dr. Chipunza said an exhibition on natural art or nature art was on cards and such displays would add value to the exhibition.