Xhosa Legend: The Hole in the Wall

The legendary Hole in the Wall can be found in the Eastern Cape. The legend of the Hole in the Wall is a legendary wonder that’s sure to capture your mind. It tells the story of a giant cliff with a mysterious opening through its center. You can find this rock formation off the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. It is a symbol for Xhosa people, who refer to it as “izi Khaleni” or “place of thunder/sound”. They also believe that it is the gateway to the world of their ancestors.

Many theories exist relating to the creation of this near-perfect opening. On the one hand, scientists believe that it resulted from the cliff’s location and exposure to breaking waves from the ocean for millions of years.

According to the legend, a young woman who lived in a small village fell in love with a sea person. She often sat by the water, and he admired her from afar. Until one day, he surfaced and confessed his love. The girl’s father and the village people disapproved of their relationship. However, the sea people took it upon themselves to help the young couple.

One night, they gathered on the ocean side of the cliff face and repeatedly knocked the rock with a large fish until it broke. Some believe that the young girl took the opportunity to escape with her lover. According to the Xhosa folklore, the sound of the crashing waves against the Hole in the Wall is a call of the sea people in search of a bride.