Cave Exploration

Through a well-established group, The Angola Field Group (AFG), we headed to explore caves in Matadi. The AFG is led by a Canadian couple whom have living in Angola for 17 years. He is a geologist, which is only an advantage on such a venture.

The convoy meets in town, not far from our apartment and we head out 06:30 with what turns out to be too little food!

First stop is the Mirador which is a look-out point high over the coast which reminds my husband and me of the Grand Canyon. At the point, we get a basic geology talk by the leader explaining the formation of the rocks and he points out that the area has many similarities with Bryce Canyon, Utah (we are not far off!)

On to the Municipality of Kissama where we meet up the the Soba, or the traditional leader of the area, and his nephew. The Soba leaders were in place before the Portuguese colonization and were assimilated into the administrative organization imposed by the Portuguese. Today, they are still respected leaders. The Soba is usually elected from a lineage which goes from Soba to nephew. The Soba is accompanied by a nephew whom explains that there are several nephews and that when the time comes, the clan will sit together and decide which nephew is the best suited to take on the role.

The Soba and his nephew

We set off for the caves which are about 15 km. eastward or inland. The convoy whirls red dust in the air and we can almost not see the car in front of us once we go off road. We arrive to the entrance of the caves which are a small walk from the cars. Before we enter, a person from each vehicle places an offering to the Soba as thanks. We give a pack of Norwegian cookies, others leave money, a cap, a bottle of what looks like wine and chocolates. After the offerings are placed on the mat, we proceed to the caves. Mind you, there have been no signs anywhere to indicate that there are caves here. We would have never found them on our own.

The cave was enormous! My camera is not able to capture the size or the formations. Nor only that, but it looks like it goes down forever. There is sand and much dust and the drop down is steep. We have flashlights, but I do not feel comfortable going down. My husband and son do along with the rest of the group, except for 7 others whom also feel it is too scary. One of the field members is a rock climber and he takes a rope down. After about 30 minutes, they are gone and we don't see or hear them!

Entrance 

About one hour later, everyone emerges. The cave apparently is enormous and eventually leads out to the ocean. The air had been stuffy and damp and most people were glad to come out again. Incredible that such pristine places exist in Angola and are just waiting to be explored!