Huye’s ‘healing hill’

HUYE-Climbing Kinyamakara Hill may seem an exhausting and even futile exercise to some. But those in search of spiritual healing powers from the sanctified hill find the courage and strength to amble right to its peak.To get to the top of this hill located in the rural Kigoma Sector, Huye District, takes a two hour walk, which is the sole option.One hot day, I scaled the hill to witness the fabled healing prayers at the summit of Kinyamakara.From the main Huye-Nyamagabe highway, one walks through pathways that snake through coffee plantations and grass before reaching the destination that teems with pine trees.On the ground, dry pine leaves are all over the place making it easy to slip and tumble down the slope. At the hill top, a gust of wind blows giving one respite after the long walk. Upon arrival, one is welcomed by loud voices of people singing gospel songs accompanied by traditional musical instruments. About 40 people are engaged in deep prayers; some singing, others deafeningly bellowing their wishes, others crossing from one side to the other making gestures that appeal to God’s will. Yet, a few others are seen in deep meditation.Another group that may have spent the whole night praying lies on the ground asleep seemingly from fatigue. People from all walks of life are engaged in regular praying sessions, including the young and the old. Down on the main tarmac road, a few cars are parked and residents say their owners are among the supplicants on the hilltop.For the past 20 years, people from across Rwanda and, in some cases, neighbouring countries, have been gathering on this hill to seek divine intervention, witnesses say.“Even before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, people used to come for prayers on this hill, Innocent Semageza, a resident of Karambi Cell, testifies.Tuesdays and Fridays are the preferred days for many but anyone with special needs may come on any day.It is common for people to spend several days and nights on this hill located deep in one of the rural parts of Huye. But this arouses concern for the security of those seeking God’s assistance.On several occasions, people have been miraculously cured of various diseases, physical and mental unfitness, the pilgrims claim. On other occasions, social problems have been overcome thanks to the divine intervention–claims that are otherwise unverifiable.One of them, Françoise Mukagatare, testifies how the “miraculous hill” has helped her to “get rid of poverty”.“I had lived in destitution until I heard of this hill”, Mukagatare, another resident of Karambi says.“When I came here for the first time, I implored God to help me get at least a domestic animal. A few days later, I learnt that I had been selected by the local leaders to receive a pig as part of the government’s support to the most vulnerable.“I am sure this came from God. It was an answer to my prayers; a sign that God heard my pleas,” she maintains.For those who believe in the supernatural nature of Kinyamakara, the hill is a ‘sacred’ place.“I believe this is a holy place and that is why I am here. Even the Bible teaches us to pray from sacred places like this,” Dusabe, a young lady, says.“Only people who have been here can testify of its sacred character. Look at all these people; even the rich and educated ones are here because they believe in it”.But, even with such a high level of belief and credence, many questions linger: Is Kinyamakara truly a sacred hill? Are people really cured and, if true, is it only because of a strong conviction of God’s powers to address their problems?

National

Huye’s ‘healing hill’