Sites Of Veneration

There are two stone-heaps just to the south of Windhoek in the Auas Mountains, known as the “Prayer Mounds”. They serve as another palpable reminder of past Namibian culture. These Sites of Veneration were formed by stones piled upon each other, and no Khoekhoe traveller would pass such a site without paying their respects.

Deference would be shown by placing a branch, a stone or perhaps a handful of grass on the mound. A verbal request for a “safe passage” would follow — loosely interpreted as a prayer. Protection against bad luck for the remainder of one’s journey was ensured, provided the wayfarer did not look back afterwards. Ethnographic notes suggest that turning back was believed to “undo” the blessing of safe travel.

The Herero had a custom to make a detour around these sites; “ombindi” was their term, meaning “to go around”. The Bergdama (Damara) name for such mounds meant “to bury”, and they regarded these Prayer Mounds as grave memorials. The Damara equivalent term meant “to pile or heap up” in a disorderly fashion. Although these interpretations differ, archaeological researchers suggest that such mounds may represent a continuity of ritual practice among several central Namibian communities over centuries.

These stone-heaps were also seen at border posts. Even today, Herero pilgrims treat these “border” mounds with much respect by putting little stones on the graves, or by touching the stones already in place. Similar practices are also noted in other parts of Namibia, where stone-piling traditions remain part of cultural landscapes associated with ancestral routes or sacred areas.

The two large Sites of Veneration were proclaimed a national monument on 1 September 1955. They are situated some 2 km behind the last houses of the Windhoek suburb Olympia on municipal land in the Khomas Region. Their approximate midpoint coordinates are 22°36′S, 17°07′E, though access is informal and not signposted. Moltkeblick is the highest peak of the Auas mountain range, and can be reached by a day’s hike from Windhoek. Visitors heading towards the Prayer Mounds or Moltkeblick are advised to carry water, wear sturdy shoes, and start early to avoid the midday heat.

Because the mounds lie on unprotected municipal land, heritage specialists encourage visitors to avoid disturbing the stones or leaving modern offerings, as these can alter the historical character of the site.