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At the summit of the Mavanga Mountain in Domboshava stands a solemn memorial cross — a tribute to a Roman Catholic priest Rev B Callan S who tragically died in 1939.
According to oral history shared by the local village head (sabhuku), the priest had come from Makumbe Mission to spend time in prayer and spiritual retreat. In Roman Catholic tradition, a retreat is a time of solitude and reflection, often carried out in quiet, remote places. The priest arrived on a motorbike and spent the entire day in prayer at the top of the mountain.
As night fell, the surroundings grew darker. While descending the mountain, the priest mistakenly took a steep and dangerous path, thinking the terrain was level. Tragically, he fell off the mountain and lost his life.
For nearly a week, no one knew where he had gone. Eventually, it was the sabhuku’s grandfather, Solomon, a servant of Chief Chinamhora, who noticed something unusual — a motorbike wheel stuck in a tree along the mountain slope. This discovery led to a search party, and the priest’s body was finally found. He was later buried at Makumbe Mission.
In his memory, a cross-shaped memorial stone was erected at the top of the mountain. While some Apostolic believers (Masowe) mistakenly believe the stone marks a grave, it is not a burial site — rather, it is a memorial placed to honor and remember the priest’s devotion and tragic end.
The Memorial Cross is now a landmark seen during hikes and spiritual walks in the Mavanga area. It serves as a symbol of faith, remembrance, and the deep connection between man and mountain
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