UNESCO World Heritage Center is dedicated in identifying and recognizing places of cultural, historic, scientific or physical importance to humanity all around the world. In order for a place to be established as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria.
Undoubtedly, UNESCO World Heritage sites are phenomenal and
not just any splendor place to visit. Thus, Thimlich
Ohinga to be named among the 1,092 World Heritage sites, proves that Kenya
has a rich heritage and beautiful sceneries. Here is a moment to be proudly
Kenyan.
Thimlich Ohinga Pre-Historic Site
Believed to more than 550 years old, Thimlich Ohinga is a stone-built enclosed complex having walls that vary from 1.0 to 3 meters in thickness, and 1 to 4.2 meters in height. The walls were built from densely interlocking undressed rock blocks in place without using mortar.
Thimlich translates “frightening dense forest” and Ohinga means “a large fortress” in Luo language of the Luo community in Kenya.
Thimlich translates “frightening dense forest” and Ohinga means “a large fortress” in Luo language of the Luo community in Kenya.
Geographic Location
This ancient structure is located on a gentle sloping hill
46 kilometres north-west of Migori town near Macalder's
Mines. Also areas of Karungu, Kadem-Kanyamkago, Gwassi, Kaksingiri Lake headlands,
Kanyidoto and Kanyamwa have sites that resemble Thimlich Ohinga.
Its location is a perfect stopover for tourists to and from nearby Ruma National Game Park, Gogo Falls or the Macalder gold mines.To locate this site on the map, its exact coordinates are 0.9731°S 34.2583°E.
Its location is a perfect stopover for tourists to and from nearby Ruma National Game Park, Gogo Falls or the Macalder gold mines.To locate this site on the map, its exact coordinates are 0.9731°S 34.2583°E.
Inhabitants
Currently, the area and its surroundings are occupied by the
Luo community who are bordered by the Gusii and Luyha communities. However,
history claims that the area was first inhabited by bantu-speaking people
possibly the Gusii and Luyha –particularly Maragoli and Banyore, before
abandoning for reasons unknown. But, it is speculated that the Luo drove them
away during its invasion 300 years ago.
Thimlich Ohinga was
formally vacated at the beginning of the 20th century.
Architectural Style
A 52-acre stone-walled settlement, Thimlich Ohinga is an architectural marvel of its kind. The main
attraction is its high and robust perimeter walls that shields the settlement
from external threats. These walls have very small entrances purposely to
easily subdue intruders. Within the walls are the ruins of homesteads, sacred
sanctuaries, animal sheds, compartments having sections where men used to play
games like ‘ajua’ and ground stones for women to grind grains.
Activities
Research done by the National Museum of Kenya uncovered that
there were activities such as pottery, animal rearing and farming. Animals that
were reared include cattle, sheep, goats, chicken, ducks and guinea fowls.
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