GNP Reopens for 2010 Tourism Season
Apr 18, 2010 - Gorongosa National Park
The traditional ribbon cut at the gate leading to the game safaris
The Gorongosa National Park (GNP) opened on April 15 the current tourist season in 2010, in an environment of great celebration and filled with various cultural events.
The access gates to the network of the GNP safari tracks were closed since December 18 of last year. It is an interruption that occurs every year during the same period because it is the beginning of the rainy season when rainfall floods the plains and makes authentic mud roads, preventing the movement of all types of traction vehicles even the 4x4 ones.
The event was characterized by traditional ceremonies, the opening statement of the tourist season, the speeches of members of the GNP Oversight Committee, and the Gorongosa district administrator, holding the Opening Safari, traditional dances and showing the film "Africa's Lost Eden".
Present at the event were District administrators and directors of District Offices of Planning and Infrastructure, Economic Activities and Education, Culture, Youth and Technology of Gorongosa, Nhamatanda, Muanza and Cheringoma. Also present were the local chiefs of the Buffer Zone of GNP and other guests, including workers and members of the management of the Park.
Tradicional ceremonies respecting local customs
The Park in respect to the habits and customs of the region, organized two sessions of traditional ceremonies.The first, directed by Chuva Camacho Nhanguo, took place on April 14, 2010 in the ruins of the old tourist camp Chinongora, now best known for "House of Lions."
The House of Lions, built in 1940, is located on the plains of the Mussicadzi river, 10 km from Chitengo. This site had to be abandoned two years later due to heavy flooding during the rainy season. The lions took over the abandoned buildings starting to be known under the name "House of Lions."
Chuva Camacho Nhanguo is responsible for traditional rites of the area with the name of his surname, whose territory of jurisdiction extends till Chinongora.
Tradicional ceremony at Lions House
In the second ceremony, guided by João Chitengo the day after at Chitengo Safari Camp, near the sacred tree, the traditional ceremony in veneration to the spirit of Chitengo, believed, according to oral accounts, to be the first citizen to settle in this region, probably early in the 20th century.
In general, the two spiritual leaders have said prayers of blessing for the GNP in order to get a higher rate of revenue collection in this tourist season. They also asked the spirits of their ancestors to protect workers and visitors to the Park in relation to wildlife.
Chief João Chitengo, mastering the ceremony by the sacred tree
Opening statement
The traditional ceremony directed by João Chitengo, was followed by speeches and the declaration of the official opening of the Park near the gate area that gives way to the safaris.
The member of the Oversight Committee of GNP, representing the Government of Mozambique, Bernardo Beca Jofrisse, was the first to address the audience.
In his brief speech he referred the worldwide success of the film "Gorongosa National Park, Africa's Lost Eden" which has won eight international awards. The documentary won the Gold Award in the category TV - Travel and the Great Diamond Award in all categories in the Berlin Tourism Film Festival, held from 10 to 14 March 2010, in Germany, won four awards at the International Wildlife Film Festival on Montana, USA. More recently was honored with two awards, including Grand Prix Award and Eco Tourism Award in the Riga Tourism Film Festival, in Latvia.
Bernardo Beca Jofrisse, member of the GNP Oversight Committee
After, the member of the Oversight Committee of the GNP, representing the Gorongosa Restoration Project, Greg Carr, briefly addressed the priorities of action for the current year. He referred to the reintroduction of more animals, construction of infrastructure and initiatives for further implementation of socio-economic and community initiatives at the Buffer Zone.
Greg Carr, member of the GNP Oversight Committee
In his turn, the administrator of the District of Gorongosa, João Oliveira, called for greater cooperation from the traditional leaders and the communities in general in the control of poaching and wild fires within the conservation area.
João Oliveira (left), administrator of Gorongosa District
Finally he declared open the GNP tourist season of 2010 and proceeded to cut the ribbon at the gate that gives access to the safari zone. The act was followed by an opening game drive.
Opening Safari
Pesentation of the activities report
In the afternoon, the Park management presented to the guests of honor and members of the Oversight Committee a report of the activities carried out in 2009.
Generally speaking, the issues been addressed were related to the influx of tourists in the number of 4,630, the creation of 459 jobs, giving priority to manpower in the local area, including 46% just for the district of Gorongosa, reintroduction of wildlife, implementation of projects for generation of family income in the Buffer Zone communities, dissemination and popularization of the Park's image nationally and internationally, among others.
In this sequence, the report was presented by the Operations Department manager, Scott Kipp, the Director of the Department of Communications, Vasco Galante, the director of the Department of Community Affairs, Mateus Mutemba and the Director of the Department of Conservation, Carlos Lopes Pereira.
Image of the Park activities reporting session
Visit to the camp and the on-going constructions
After the presentation of the report of activities carried out in 2009, the guests of honor visited the safari camp and the construction works of two dormitories for Chitengo staff.
They also visited the Community Education Center, where they received the explanation of the stage of the work and the objectives of the project.
The visit to the refectory of the Community Education Center
Cultural activities
The ceremony took place amid great joy with traditional songs and dance.
The Cultural Group "Chibanga Mapaza" of Gorongosa, coming from the district headquarters town, under the leadership of José Chibanga, gave more light and color to the event with good songs and dance to the rhythm of the sounds of drums played with great proficiency.
The artists showed their multifaceted talent in various dances, as is the case of Mapaza, Djole and Nkhetekete.
At the time, Greg Carr showed up that he can easily socialize with any culture and also have the feet ability to enter the stage and rehearse to perfection a few Mapaza steps.
The Park management in all its events has privileged gender activities as a way of promoting cultural diversity and respect for local cultural events.
The party lasted all day with lots of food and traditional and conventional drinks to the sound of many songs and dances.
Image of one of the several cultural and recreational activities
Carlitos Sunza
GNP Communications Department
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