Ombalantu baobab tree

BW

The Ombalantu Baobab (English Ombalantu Baobab ), and Tree of Life ( Tree of Life ) or Omukwa waa Mbalantu, is considered one of the largest and oldest baobabs (Adansonia digitata ) in Africa. He stands in the city Outapi in northern Namibia. At 28 meters in height and a trunk circumference of more than 20 meters, its age is estimated to be at least 800 years. He was declared on 1 September 2011 on a National Monument.

Its trunk is hollow, elaborated the input as a door. The interior holds up to 35 people.

History

Throughout history, this interior has served various purposes: Traditionally, there were griots buried, why keep the people of faith, in the tree, the spirits would live. Also, the tree served as a hiding place during tribal fighting. During the occupation of the country by the South Africans was inside a bar, a post office from 1940. In memory of the tree indwelling spirits a chapel there is now in place. Today, the tree serves primarily as a tourist attraction; it is charged admission. The tree is driven by many foreign tour groups as a way point, which thus represents by Braai -aways, souvenirs and arts and crafts stores as well as a toilet service economy.

Immediately behind the tree was located during the Namibian liberation struggle, a military camp. There is now a memorial set up, which also shows the life in vorkolonialistischer time.