The Mysteries Behind Gangilonga Rock at Iringa : Iringa is a town in central Tanzania. The place is beautiful and full of nature. The nature of Iringa is so cold. It sits on a cliff overlooking the Ruaha river valley, in the southern highland region. The town center has government colonial buildings and a popular market. Iringa region in Tanzania has got its famous from Hehe society through their chief Mkwawa. The chief fought for the Hehe peace from Germany during their colony in Tanzania. The commonwealth war graves cemetery memorializes soldiers who died in the local battle during the first world war (WWI) and second world war (WWII).
Gangilonga Rock
There is this big stone called Gangilonga The rock is about five Kilometers (5 Km) from Iringa town. This large rock is located in the northern town of Iringa. The rock was traditionally used by the Hehe society as a place of worship and speaking to the ancestors. The Gangilonga rock was also an important chieftain meeting spot and views stretch over the town.
In the historical background during the colonial resistance in east Africa, the rock was a very good place where chief Mkwawa of Hehe meditated and where he learned that the Germans were after him. The name Gangilonga means “talking stone” in Hehe, possibly because the chief’s scout communicated the movement of German troops from here.
This is one of the exceptional things about Iringa, the Gangilonga rock commonly known as “jiwe gangi” among the Swahili speakers. It is the best climbable rock in Iringa. Its name was given by the Hehe native speakers; this was because they could not explain the repeated sound when they talked near the stone (resonance vibration). Thus they called it a “said stone” to mean a stone that can talk hence the name Gangilonga means talking “stone”.
So, Gangilonga is a Hehe compound noun made up of two words “liganga” which means “the stone” while “liloganga” means “which speaks”. So the definition is “the stone that speaks”. The locals believed that the rock was capable of talking. But in a real sense, the stone does not always produce any talking sound.
Hiking Gangilonga Rock
It is an easy climb to the top with a view over the town. It is a bit of a hike that anyone can do. It is about four minutes (4 min) hike of the rock from the office that is managing the site. There is an entrance fee which is usually paid at the reception before begging the hiking on the rock. The entrance cost per individual is $ 1 approximately (2,000 Tanzanian shillings) for the locals or Tanzanian citizens. For nonresidents will pay $ 2 approximately (5000 Tanzanian shillings) per person.
First of all, before telling much about the hiking process, the place is recommended for everyone to go there. It is a very good view and an attractive adventure. Take a Tanzania Safari trip to Gangilonga to see the place, the big stone, and the view. When you are up on the rock you will see the whole Iringa town. It is a perfect place to watch the sun set down, really beautiful.
On this rock, you get a magnificent view of Iringa township. From the top view, you will see neighborhoods, the region is estimated to have 1.5 million residents (2021)
The route for hiking the rock is very standard and it is the same route that was used by chief Mkwawa during the resistance war against the German colony. It is a long route but gives an easy hike. The hiking routes can support all kinds of people hiking. Even the elderly above 80 years can climb up the rock using the same route. Walking slowly with a friend is the best way to enjoy the beauty of hiking the Rock. Along the routes, there are older trees that have existed for more than a millennium without getting destroyed by climatic changes, seasonal fluctuations, and human interactions. Reaching on top of the rock, you will be surprised to see the trees tree that was planted by the Hehe ancestor still exists up to this day. The trees on top of the rock can survive over a long period of the dry season without drying. The natural appearance of the rock top is flat and wide in such a way that You can sit or lie and feel the beauty of nature. The flat space on the rock top can accommodate more than 500 people. On top of the stone, you can view the whole city of Iringa, The Mysteries Behind Gangilonga Rock at Iringa
The accommodation for visitors of Gangilonga rock is no longer a problem. There is a hotel called sunset hotel just a few meters from the rock area. It takes Ten minutes (10 min) to walk a distance of 700 meters from the Sunset Hotel to Gangilonga rock. You can have a short adventure at sunset hotel and Gangilonga rock.
Tanzania is a beautiful country to travel to. It has amazing scenery and a lot of tourist activities. Explore Iringa town to get to enjoy visiting tourist attraction sites such as;
Isimila stone age site: This is a good display site for early archeological findings in Tanzania. To see the stone tool used by early man homo Erectus. It is located at a distance of approximately twenty-one kilometers (21 Km) away from Iringa town. On this site, you will also enjoy seeing the natural pillars which occurred over 150 years as a result of erosion.
Kalenga museum: this is the main capital of the Hehe community. It is twelve kilometers (12 Km) from Iringa Town. The Kalenga museum is where the history of Mkwawa the Hehe chief who fought vigorously against German colonial domination is preserved. The information about Mkwawa found in the museum includes his skull, his relics, and personal effects.
Iringa Community arts: The dominant community in Iringa is the Hehe. But there are some small tribal communities such as the Bena and Kinga who are also identified as the locals of Iringa. The arts are significant to the study of the Iringa tribal societies’ cultures such as tools, dress, architectural styles, and traditions.
Ruaha National Park: Ruaha is a central national park in Tanzania that is known for its excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. It is famous for the big five animals such as Rhino Ceros, Elephants, Hippopotamus, Lions, and Leopards. Not only the big five animals are present in Ruaha national Park but also other wild animals such as Zebra, Hyena, Impala, Wildebeest, Giraffe, and many more are present. Moreover, there are unique attractions in the park such as beautiful bird species, river Ruaha, Baobab Trees, and natural Grassland vegetation. Ruaha is an amazing park with spectacular destinations.
Samora Stadium: This is a football playground found in Iringa Town. On your trip to Gangilonga rock visit, you can be lucky to find a football match being played in Samora stadium. Watching Tanzanian regional leagues can give the best refreshment after a long hike on Gangilonga Rock.
Iringa regional library: This is also another place to visit for finding more information about the Iringa region and Tanzania at large. You can go for personal learning, seeking advice and consultation service.
Conclusively, if you don’t have enough time to visit the site that is found outside Iringa town. Worry out, just visit Iringa Boma close to Iringa tower and garden. There you will find boundless information about the region and tourist attraction found.
