Deep inside the cave.

by Mojwadi Gosiame (Botswana)

Making a local connection Botswana

''Hey lady! slow down please. Nobody has ever gone that far. The ancestors forbid,'' said the village site caretaker. They call him Smiles. The man is forever smiling, he only stops smiling when he talks or when he is scared like he seemed to be then. I ignored him and continued deep inside the cave. It was getting dark and creepy. Just like Smiles, I started to develop cold feet. My heart and my legs were 'saying' different things. I looked back only to see Smiles far behind me, he was really reluctant. '' You are really slow for a tour guide you know,'' I shouted at him. Hearing this he hurried towards me, but he still pleaded that we go back. We got to a curve which had an opening towards the ground. I kneeled and took a peep inside, it was peach black. He kneeled besides me and also peeped inside. As soon as he realized the darkness he stood up. '' That's it , we are going back. Look how dark it is in there. You cannot even see a thing there.'' I proceeded to pull out my flash light. ''This is what we use to kill darkness my friend , now lets go in.'' I laid down with my belly on the ground and crawled inside. Crawling was the only way inside and Smiles have had it with me. He didn't want any part of this but I think because of curiosity he decided to join me. He crawled under to get inside. I heard him groan and I though he was just being a cry baby. Finally when he was in he shouted, '' I think it bit me. Look, Its over there!'' From the poor rays created by my flashlight I could see its silhouette. It was crawled up as if it was put there deliberately. I nearly collapsed of fright. I froze. Smiles looked at me then towards the direction of my light, he also froze. We stood still for a while and I realized that it did not move. I put on a brave face, pulled a rod from my flash and pricked it, It didn't move. I went closer and touched it with my bare hands. '' Don't you scratch you? I did not bite you. The snake is dead, it has long died. I think its dry skin scratched you,'' I told Smiles who looked so relieved. Now there was no turning back. We just had to explore the cave. Smiles guide roll was almost finishing now and I think in a way he celebrated because if it finishes then we would have no alternative but to go back. We moved deeper a bit until we saw some light. The light rays came from outside. The rock had a 'dormer' that allowed the sunlight in. We didn't need my flash light here. Everything was visible. We could see clearly. I looked at Smiles and he was all soiled up with dust. almost laughed at this site only to remember that I must be looking all dirty like he is. '' Oh my! , look behind you. Look around you'', said Smiles in disbelief. I fixed my eyes on the stone wall around and I could not believe the beauty that was before us. The beauty of the ancient rockwork that was done by the natives of the Hambukushu settlements. In the outskirts of the Hambukushu land, at the northwestern part of Botswana towards the Namibia boarder, stand a boulder land of hills known as Tsodilo Hills. The local San people believe Tsodilo is the birthplace of all life, communication and the artwork there made by the descendants of the first people of the area. Such a marvel to experience. Connecting with the locals through art, through tourism and preservation.