Hong Hoang - The sacred lightning bird of Zimbabweans

The hornbill is a large, rare and endangered bird of Africa. Particularly in Matobo, Zimbabwe, they still grow strongly.

Ndebele and Kalanga, two ethnic minorities living in Matobo believe that the Red Emperor is the incarnation of thunder and rain. As long as they continuously raise their low, deep voice like thunder, it will soon rain cool rain.

Worship like a god

Southern hornbill, rare endemic bird of Africa.

Hornbill scientific name is Bucorvus leadbeateri (Southern hornbill), belongs to the hornbill foraging on the ground in the region Bucorvidae, vertebrate endemic to Africa. Their size is large, length from 90 - 120cm, weight 2.2 - 6.2kg. This bird also has an eye-catching appearance, with silky black plumage, long coarse beaks and a red crest.

The Ndebele and Kalanga people call the Southern Red Emperor Amahundundu. This name imitates their thunderclap, which can be heard up to 5km away.

The Ndebele and Kalanga beliefs believe that the Southern Hornbill is a bird that calls for rain. Every year, towards the end of the dry season (around October), they expect Amahundundu to speak. As long as this bird calls out for a few days, dark clouds will come. Soon, it will rain.

The beloved Ndebele and Kalanga people call Amahundundu the thunderbird, the dancing bird. They are also extremely respectful of this bird, holding a solemn funeral like that of a member of the community when it dies.

'To kill Amahundundu is to anger the gods and pay a heavy price. It won't rain and those who do it will go crazy and be kicked out of the village for life', the elders of Ndebele and Kalanga admonished their children and grandchildren.

Living together in harmony

Children in Matobo are a key southern hornbill watcher.

In the late afternoon of the dusty dry season, Sofaya Ndlovu – a resident of Matobo, sits and relaxes outside the house. Only about 50 meters away from him, on a cleanly swept area, the Southern Red Emperor stood and looked at it. After a few moments of hesitation, it lifted its foot, walked over to a cricket nest, and began digging with its strong, blunt claws.

Soon, this bird caught the prey that was hiding in the ground. It hurriedly ran to where the young bird was waiting, feeding it.

'I hear them every day,' boasted Ndlovu. In Matobo, the majority of the inhabitants are farmers, living on subsistence. Because they love the Southern Red Emperor, they let them run wild.

The arable land of the Matobo residents is adjacent to Matobo National Park. They are often bothered by wild animals such as monkeys, squirrels, mice, etc. To protect the garden, the Ndebele and Kalanga people were forced to chase them away. Coincidentally, this work of theirs accidentally brought benefits to the Southern Red Emperor.

According to scientific records, the Southern Red Emperor is a slow-breeding species. It takes between 9 and 10 years old for them to mate and lay eggs. Each Southern Hornbill nest has 1-3 eggs, but only 1 hatches. The incubation period lasts 40-45 days and the rearing time is up to 2 years.

During the egg and young period, the Southern Red Emperor is easily eaten by wild animals. Feeling the goodwill from the people of Matobo, this bird comes close to the village to nest, give birth and raise babies safely.

In addition to avoiding enemies, they also have another benefit: Abundant food. Matobo gardens attract many species of insects, rodents and especially snakes, the favorite food of these birds. It can be said that the relationship between the people of Matobo and the Southern Red Emperor is symbiotic, mutually beneficial.

'Nest Guardian'

Evans Mabiza, ecologist and head of the Southern hornbill group in Matobo.

If in the wild in Africa, the Southern Hornbill can only reproduce successfully every 6-9 years, in Matobo it is 1-2 years. With a lifespan of up to 70 years, this rarest bird in Africa has grown in numbers.

'Matobo residents see the southern hornbill like a human' - Evans Mabiza, a Zimbabwe bird conservationist with 14 years of experience working in Matobo - 'In the past, many African cultures were like that but now Now, the belief in bird lightning and bird dance has been eroded'.

Biologist Lucy Kemp said: 'We need to protect with the Southern Red Emperor. This is not only for ecology, but also for preserving culture'.

In both Matobo and many other parts of Africa, the Southern Red Emperor exists in countless verses, songs, stories, and folk legends. 'Losing the Southern Red Emperor is losing both heart and soul,' Kemp emphasized.

Starting in 2007, Zimbabwe officially launched a project to research and protect the Southern Red Emperor. Matobo became a key site, with a group led by Mabiza camping in the field. At first, they were avoided by the Ndebele and Kalanga people because they thought they had bad intentions.

Now, the residents of Matobo love and cooperate with Mabiza's group. From children to the elderly enthusiastically reported the results of their observations, enabling Mabiza to establish accurate records.

'Amahundundu is a messenger of the gods,' said Moyo, a resident of Matobo. Currently, Matobo has 17 people (including Moyo) who are working as 'Amahundundu nest-keeper'. They watched from the moment the male bird called for a mate, paying close attention to protecting the eggs and young.

Mabiza visits Matobo a few times a month. Thanks to the people, especially the children, he collected many valuable bird observations. 'I have a feeling, Matobo will become the research center of Southern Hong Kong for all of Africa', proud Mabiza.

He hopes the real story here will spread inspiration everywhere, making people see the meaning and ecological and cultural value of protecting an endangered species.