Amabere Ga NyinaMwiru
Amabere Ga NyinaMwiru : is a cultural site with remarkable history located in western Uganda in Fort portal town near Nyakasura School a few kilometers out of Fort portal town. You can stop by while on your tour to Semuliki national park for birding safari or viewing the hot springs, to Kibale national park for chimpanzee tracking or to Queen Elizabeth national park for a wildlife safari and boat excursion. This rock is actually as a result of formation of stalagmites and stalactites. It is nestled between several trees and the beautiful water falls on someone’s farm land which he has kept and preserved for tourism. Growing up almost every social studies book had this miraculous myth of Amabere ga Nyinamwiru (Breasts of Nyinamwiru), which almost sounded like a very meticulously scripted movie that anyone would want to watch.
Historical Background
Otherwise for the cultural tourism enthusiasts, this is a home to a very rich cultural history attached to these rocks which form scenic caves with streams of water above them causing refreshing waterfalls for those who visit. You can be welcomed by the sweltering sound of the waterfalls, the glorious distressed waterfalls hissing out the Amabere caves. The environment is pretty cool due to moisture content of the falls and the thick forest cover doesn’t allow it to escape. Believe me or not the memory of this place is not something you will forget soon. Even the climbing plants that are interwoven by the rocks of the caves enhance more beauty to the place. Breast like feature hang on the roof of the caves with whitist milk like substance tickling out. This milk like substance was created by chemical reaction between water and salt many years ago hence the name of Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru a local name to mean the breast of Nyinamwiru. These rocks and caves are called stalagmites and stalactites; a stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. The corresponding formation on the ceiling of a cave is known as a stalactite. If these formations grow together, the result is known as a column. When you reach there the guide will normally tell you not to touch, Since the rock build up is formed by minerals solidifying out of the water solution onto the old surface, skin oils can disturb where the mineral water will cling, thus affecting the growth of the formation. Oils and dirt from the hands can also stain the formation and change its colour permanently.
However, according to the locals around, the Bachwezi from the great Batembuzi dynasty lived here between the 13th and 19th century. These people possessed supernatural powers. They never died, but instead disappeared mysteriously. The Batoro (the tribe located in this area) have a strong belief attached to these caves with an interesting myth told through the generations about them. The caves were named after King Bukuku’s daughter named Nyinamwiru, loosely translated ‘Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru’ would be ‘Breasts of Nyinamwiru’. King Bukuku was one of the ancient Kings of the Batembuzi Dynasty that ruled that time and were believed to be demi-gods by their subjects, often disappearing to the underground at given times. The princess was a beautiful young lady who had a strong personality. She refused to marry the man her father the King had chosen for her as was the custom in the day preferring to choose her own spouse.
This greatly infuriated the King and his subjects who could not understand how anyone could disobey the King. The King then ordered that her breasts be cut off because of her disobedience, this would then ensure that she would never get married to whoever she would choose and never be able to nurse children. It is strongly believed that the scenic rocks in this location are her breasts oozing milk since that day. In the midst of this opulent green verdure, nature and culture come together. The ground is rather slippery though and it is covered by hundreds of fallen leaves from over the years. If you have the time for further exploration, the guide can take you further where the hovering sounds of waterfalls is replaced by the glorious and enchanting sounds of the birds and insects.
From this site one can take hike to Nyakasura hill which will give you views of 3 different crater lakes and a visit to the marking of a large foot in the area believed to belong to one of the last Batembuzi dynasty people who were giants like humans. You can find the Amabeere ga nyina mwiru guest house that charges cheaply and affordable per night bed and breakfast inclusive. This is the only place in Uganda with such caves, natural with stalagmites and stalactites. According to Kabarole District’s Tourism Development Plan of 2006, it was listed among the top physical attractions.
