Ombalantu baobab
| Ombalantu baobab | |||
|---|---|---|---|
National monument in Namibia 
|
|||
 |
|||
| Monument type | Botany : trees | ||
| location | Outapi | ||
| Geographic coordinates : | 17 ° 30 '42.8 " S , 14 ° 59' 16" O | ||
|
|||
| Emergence | |||
|
Recognized by the National Heritage Council |
September 1, 2011 | ||
| Deprivation | |||
| Sponsorship | |||
| Website | NHC Namibia | ||
The Ombalantu-Baobab ( English Ombalantu Baobab ), also Tree of Life ( Tree of Life ) or Omukwa waa Mbalantu , is one of the largest and oldest baobabs (Adansonia digitata) in Africa. It is located in the city of Outapi in northern Namibia . With a height of 28 meters and a trunk circumference of more than 20 meters, its age is estimated to be at least 800 years. It was declared a national monument on September 1, 2011 .
Its trunk is hollow to a height of about six meters, and the entrance is designed as a door. The conical interior can accommodate up to 35 people.
history
In the course of history, this interior has served various purposes: traditionally, the griots were buried there, which is why the people believe that the spirits live in the tree. The tree also served as a hiding place during tribal battles. During the occupation of the country by the South Africans, there was a bar in it, and from 1940 a post office. A chapel has now been set up there to commemorate the spirits residing in the tree. Today the tree is mainly used as a tourist attraction; admission is charged. Many foreign tour groups head for the tree as a stage destination, which is an economic factor thanks to its braai snack, a souvenir and handicraft shop with toilet service.
Immediately behind the tree was a military camp during the Namibian liberation struggle . Today a memorial has been set up there, which also shows life in pre-colonial times.
Web links
- Official website (English)
- History of the Ombalantu baobab tree - Article by the Namibian , August 31, 2010
Individual evidence
- ^ A b History of the Ombalantu Baobab Tree. The Namibian, August 31, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2013
- ↑ a b Ombalantu Baobab Tree Heritage Center and Campsite. NACOBTA. Retrieved January 31, 2013
- ↑ Characteristics of Time Monuments The baobab in Ombalautu. db.zeitmonumente, August 10, 2001, accessed on January 31, 2013