The Western Cape is known for its mountainous landscapes and fascinating folklore. While there are many stories to tell, that of the “man in the mountain” is one that can not only be heard but still seen today.
Before the province became what it is today, it was inhabited by a group of people known as the Khoisan, a blend of two groups – the Khoi Khoi and the San people who shared similar cultures and beliefs.
According to archeological findings, this amazing group of hunter-gatherers lived in southern Africa for as long as two thousands years before it was colonised. They had a unique knowledge of the Cape’s natural landscapes and among their most interesting wisdom was their tales of unusual spirits and supernatural beings.
‘Hawequa’ is a word associated with a unique occurrence that can be viewed once a year in the Western Cape, where a ‘man in the mountain’ seems to appear from the mountainside.
If you happen to be passing the Wellington mountains along Bain’s Kloof Pass at just the right time in the late afternoon during the Equinox, you are in for a treat. Carved into the mountainside and defined by the perfectly aligned shadows, a man can be seen emerging from the rocky outcrops. The figure stands tall and appears to look out over the valley.
Man in the mountains, Wellington. pic.twitter.com/uTPfwQDawV
— Petronella vdMerwe (@petro_vdmerwe) September 2, 2015
To the Khoisan, this otherworldly figure was revered as somewhat of a supernatural existence that guarded the mountainside and while he may not be seen that way today, he still visits the mountain twice a year to watch over it from his rocky crevice.
Source: Kuba Miszewski
