This week we went hiking out to a cave near the village of Molepolole. It’s called Kobokwe’s cave and I love the story behind the cave (read below). It was often associated with witchcraft but the story about David Livingston staying the night in the cave is amazing!
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Caves have always fascinated humans and often been regarded with awe and superstition. Kobokwe’s Cave , in the Southern African nation of Botswana, has many legends told about it and it has traditionally been a place associated with witches, black magic, and evil spirits. Today the cave is an important tourist site and a place of pilgrimage for Christians. It is located in a Botswana Heritage Park and is protected by the local government.
The caves are impressive in themselves and they are set in some beautiful and rugged scenery. This cavern is very spacious and has some impressive stalactites and rock formations. However, it is most famous for the part it played in Botswana life and especially in the history of the Bakwena people. According to local folklore the cave was a place that was long associated with black magic and sorcery. One legend has it that witches and sorcerers were executed near the mouth of the cave. There is a rock which is called ‘execution rock’ where it is believed that they were killed on the orders of the local king or Kgosi of the Bakwena.
From execution rock, the witch or wizard was flung to their deaths. One story recounted is that one condemned witch by the name of Kobokwe was thrown from execution rock but was able to use a spell to cushion her fall and survived.
David Livingston, the great Scottish explorer, doctor, and missionary visited the area in the mid-nineteenth century. He was on a mission to convert the local people and had implored the Kgosi or king of the Bakwene to convert to Christianity and to be baptized. The king at this time was Schele I, a very important monarch in Botswanan history. He refused to convert and ignored all of Livingstone’s blandishments and pleas to convert. The great Scot was at a loss, but he had heard about the local cave which was reputed to be haunted by the monstrous snakes.
He approached the Kgosi and stated that he would stay a night in the cave and would prove that the Christian God was more powerful than any evil spirits. Livingstone went into the hills and entered the cave where he spent a restful night without incident. The monarch was amazed that the doctor and explorer had survived, and he agreed to be baptized and this was important in the Christianization of Botswana.
Kobokwe’s cave is now regarded by many believers as a sacred spot and it is the major Christian pilgrimage site in the country. Many refer to the cavern as Livingstone’s cave after the missionary and explorer. There are regular midnight prayer meetings held at the cavern.
