Dumaneni Mountain

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Information provided by Hans Bornman from his unpublished book, Lowveld Tour Guide:

DUMANENI

Mountain, 7 km south of Malalane ), on the farm Coulter. This mountain contains specularite (or red ochre) which the Swazi know as “ludvumane” and means ‘power four times the sound of thunder’. Specularite is something they believe has great power, which only chiefs and the most highly qualified priest-diviners are permitted to wear, covering their whole bodies and hair with the powder. Many other people in Africa know it as Sebilo and regard it with similar reverence. The mine on Dumaneni is estimated to be between 28 500 and 46 000 years old and some 100 000 tons of red ochre was removed by hand during this period. This mine is regarded as one of the oldest mines in the world. Not open to the public.