Looking at this photo you would never know that this place is filled with tragedy and mystery. The Menengai Crater is one of the largest calderas of the world and the largest of Kenya. There are many versions about the origin and the meaning of the name, “Menengai.” One of the more popular definitions is “the place of the dead corpses,” as many people have died there.

During the 19th century, war broke out between the Maasai unity and various rival clans over cattle and grazing grounds. In one battle, the Ilaikipiak warriors were thrown into the calderas. Recently, a woman fell to her death while trying to rescue her 12 year-old son, who was trapped inside a ravine.

The locals claim that the crater is under the control of evil spirits and have since named it “kirima kia ngoma” (where the devils live). Strange things happen to people who visit the crater and its cave. Many were reported to have disappeared, only to turn up hours later, not knowing how they got lost. One of them was a man who had known the area for a long time. Some people go in there and are never seen again.

Pilgrims flock to the site to pray, despite the crater’s reputation. Mr. Paul Walingo from Kakamega spent two weeks in the cave, fasting and praying, without incident. He does not believe the tales of the locals about ghosts and demons.

Simon Kamenju, on the other hand, believes that they are real. According to him, the ghosts capture people who attempt to destroy the crater’s fauna and hide them in the underworld. “Some of those who wander, do so after harvesting firewood inside the cave. But as soon as they drop the firewood, they find their way back.”

The latest mystery involves a “flying umbrella” that appears to shield the crater whenever it rains, only to disappear after the storm subsides. No one knows where this alleged umbrella goes, although I think it would be hard to miss since the crater measures 8-10 kilometers.

Source: allAfrica.com