Rocks and Stones

Denise Martin

These humble, unassuming objects are a manifestation of God, the source of creation, human life, rain, and the dwelling place of spirits in African religion. When they are combined to form massive structures, such as the Great Pyramid of Giza and the hill complex at Great Zimbabwe, they offer a powerful testament to their sacred significance. Among the Shona of Zimbabwe, the first man, Musikavanhu, falls to Earth from the sky. Falling with him is a stone. He points to the stone and it stops. When his feet landed on part of the stone, that section of the stone softened and changed into water. This is known as the “stone of the pool,” Matopos, and it is held sacred among the Shona. Musikavanhu later falls asleep on the stone and dreams creation ...

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