Howick Falls
Encyclopedia
Howick Falls is a waterfall in Howick
, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
. The waterfall is approximately 95 meters in height (310 feet) and lies on the Umgeni River. The Zulu people called the falls KwaNogqaza, which means "Place of the Tall One".
The falls were most likely first seen by European
explorers in the early 19th century. However the KwaZulu-Natal
province has known human occupation for well over 30,000 years and it is likely that it was a well known site prior to any western influence, given the rich legend surrounding the area. Many people have been swept over the falls, especially in the pioneer days of the province, as some settlers thought the easiest place to cross the river was just above the falls.
There have been a recorded 40 deaths surrounding Howick falls with the first recorded death occurring in 1851. Most of these have been recorded as suicides but accidents and murder have also been know to happen, contributing to if not maintaining the local legendary status of the falls. In 1999, Jeb Corliss
had a near-fatal BASE jump into the waterfalls where his chute opening went asymmetric and he could not avoid flying into the downpouring water.
According to local legend the pool at the bottom of the falls is the residence of the Inkanyamba
a giant serpent-like creature. According to lore only sangomas can safely approach the falls and then only to offer prayers and other acts of worship to the inkanyamba
, ancestral spirits and the 'Great God'.
Despite, or perhaps because of its chequered history, kwaNogqaza has become a principal tourist attraction for the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.
Howick, KwaZulu-Natal
Howick is a town located in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The town is 1050 m above sea level, and about 88 kilometres from the port city of Durban. It enjoys warm summers and cool dry winters. A snappy chill descends upon Howick when snow falls on the nearby...
, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The waterfall is approximately 95 meters in height (310 feet) and lies on the Umgeni River. The Zulu people called the falls KwaNogqaza, which means "Place of the Tall One".
The falls were most likely first seen by European
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
explorers in the early 19th century. However the KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
province has known human occupation for well over 30,000 years and it is likely that it was a well known site prior to any western influence, given the rich legend surrounding the area. Many people have been swept over the falls, especially in the pioneer days of the province, as some settlers thought the easiest place to cross the river was just above the falls.
There have been a recorded 40 deaths surrounding Howick falls with the first recorded death occurring in 1851. Most of these have been recorded as suicides but accidents and murder have also been know to happen, contributing to if not maintaining the local legendary status of the falls. In 1999, Jeb Corliss
Jeb Corliss
Jeb Corliss is a professional BASE jumper, skydiver, and wingsuit flyer. He has jumped from sites including Paris' Eiffel Tower, Seattle's Space Needle, and the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia....
had a near-fatal BASE jump into the waterfalls where his chute opening went asymmetric and he could not avoid flying into the downpouring water.
According to local legend the pool at the bottom of the falls is the residence of the Inkanyamba
Inkanyamba
The Inkanyamba is a legendary serpent said to be living in a waterfall lake area in the northern forests near Pietermaritzburg most commonly in the base of Howick Falls, South Africa. The Zulu tribes of the area believe it to be a large serpent with a horse like head...
a giant serpent-like creature. According to lore only sangomas can safely approach the falls and then only to offer prayers and other acts of worship to the inkanyamba
Inkanyamba
The Inkanyamba is a legendary serpent said to be living in a waterfall lake area in the northern forests near Pietermaritzburg most commonly in the base of Howick Falls, South Africa. The Zulu tribes of the area believe it to be a large serpent with a horse like head...
, ancestral spirits and the 'Great God'.
Despite, or perhaps because of its chequered history, kwaNogqaza has become a principal tourist attraction for the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.