Mysterious legends surrounding South Africa's Fundudzi Lake!

Lake Fundudzi is captivated by its mysterious charm, filled with legends, rituals - and a mystical story spread online.

Nestled in the heart of South Africa's Limpopo province is Lake Fundudzi, a body of water both mysterious and beautiful. Surrounded by the lush, mountainous terrain of the Soutpansberg Mountains , it is one of the few true inland lakes in South Africa and was created by a landslide that occurred in these mountains a long time ago.

Lake Fundudzi is surrounded by the forest of Thatthe Vondo , which is said to be filled with spirits, and the local Venda people do not dare to enter it for fear of being haunted by ghosts and the Ndadzi lightning bird. According to local legend, the landslide that created this lake is believed to have been caused by a curse on a kraal (a local village) that refused to host a leper. As a result, the water submerged the kraal, and it is believed that the cries of the drowned people and livestock of this village can still be heard from time to time. Additionally, Fundudzi Lake is said to be guarded by a python god who resides in the surrounding hills. Its mood will be reflected in its water level and color, rising and falling regardless of rainfall.

Remotely located in the Venda region of the Limpopo province, at the foot of the Soutspansberg mountain, the sacred Lake Fundudzi is one of the few truly inland lakes in South Africa. Covering an area of ​​about 140 hectares and estimated to be at least 10,000 years old, Fundudzi is filled by the Godoni and Mutale rivers.

Lake Fundudzi also puzzles scientists with its seemingly inexplicable behavior – nearly a hundred streams and three rivers flow into the lake, adding millions of liters of water every hour. However, Fundudzi Lake has no clear drainage and the amount of water in the lake seems to never change. So, where does all that water go? Additionally, according to some sources, the water actually seems to rise and fall regardless of rainfall, like the tides, even though the lake is not connected to the ocean.

There is a modern legend that we found on the internet, according to which a professor Henry Burnside and his assistant took samples from the lake in 1955 to find answers to these questions. According to this completely unverified story, the water disappeared from the lake overnight, and after Burnside sampled the water by dipping his finger in it and tasting it, he died a week later.

Adjacent to Lake Fundudzi is the sacred forest of Thathe Vondo, where the kings of Venda have been buried for many generations. Traditionally, Venda people are buried at home. However, after ten to fifteen years, their remains will be exhumed by family members and brought to the "Sacred Forest".

This modern legend also offers a "scientific" explanation: that this chain of events was caused by high chromium concentrations in the water due to previous mining operations. According to this "explanation", at temperatures below 19 degrees Celsius, chromium particles in the water crystallized, which caused the lake water to disappear and Burnside died.

However, in reality, there is no evidence that the lake is high in chromium or that chromium was ever mined in the area . And even if it did, high water-soluble chromium concentrations wouldn't cause the water to disappear. Although chromium can form crystals under specific conditions, it certainly will not crystallize all the water in a lake overnight.

Additionally, even if Fundudzi Lake water is not safe to drink due to its high chromium content, there will be no immediate death from taking a sip. Chromium poisoning has symptoms that develop over time.

Additionally, Fundudzi Lake was declared a National Heritage Site in 2013 , according to B eautiful News , and is protected by the local community, who protect the lake from human encroachment and keep it in its original state. nature. You will have to ask permission from the head of one of the nearby villages if you want to venture close to the water's edge.

Faults in Lake Fundudzi could act like giant sewers.

So it can be certain that the lake water did not disappear due to high chromium content and it also did not kill Professor Burnside, if it did. Instead, the answer to this apparent paradox may lie underground. According to a paper by Sibonakaliso Chiliza presented at the World Landslides Forum , the quartz sandstone of the Soutpansberg group, where the lake is located , is "severely fractured by faults of various ages" , as well as played a role in the landslide that created the Lake.

Now, faults can act like giant sewers. If the fault creates a passage with enough space and a downward angle, water can flow through the cracks and into deeper layers of rock. This can greatly reduce the amount of water on the surface, making it appear as if it has disappeared.

So our best guess is that it was these faults that caused the Fundudzi lake water to "disappear". 

If you decide to see this "mysterious" lake for yourself, please note that you should explore Lake Fundudzi with a knowledgeable local guide. They can provide invaluable insights into the culture of the Venda people, helping you enjoy the traditional stories that bring the legends of the lake to life. In addition, they will also ensure your safety not only from the dangers mentioned in the legends but also from the sizable crocodile population living in this area.