Water Wheel May/June 2021: Sacredsites

Abstract

Saving sacred waters: The future of Mohokare Valley sacred sites and water resources The fertile Mohokare Valley follows the flow of the Caledon River in the eastern Free State and, prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, played host to a vibrant pilgrimage movement to a series of sacred sites, Motouleng (a sacred cave between Fouriesburg and Clarens) and Witsie’s Cave (at Monontsa, Witsieshoek), the sacred valley of Mautse (between Rosendal and Ficksburg), and the sacred places associated with the prophet Mantsopa (at the Anglican St Augustine’s Priory and Mission Station at Modderpoort near Ladybrand). These sites are places of pilgrimage for spiritual purposes and performing rituals and were found to be repositories of vast resources of living heritage, including undocumented oral histories and indigenous knowledge. All these sites contain freshwater bodies within their boundaries or are situated close to water bodies, and many of the rituals and human activities documented at these sites are dependent on water from springs, pools, rivers, streams, and seepage.

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