Cedars of Lebanon in Malawi

So, we have previously said the forests of Lebanon could be in Southern Africa. Connecting it to mountains and trees, that used to be more prevalent in the past. It was always a working theory, seen as there are no real tall Cedars left in the areas we previously suggested, moving further south, even towards ZuluLand on the Eastern side of South Africa (Mozambique side). So these forest of SoNiNi might have spanned bigger areas in ancient times, and now we only see but small remnants. Sure they could all have been chopped down, but remember the Cedar of Lebanon would have to have been close to the Phoenician harbours. Now a couple of researchers from Kenya brought us unto the subject of Malawi (Ma Leva or the Ma Levi, which are likely Levites). And its closeness to the coastal areas that would likely have contained Phoenician harbours in the past, this area becomes more then likely of having this particular Cedar tree in its vicinity. It also places Lake Malawi into a interesting position for the generally "missing" historical lakes of the African interior. More on that later.

Tea Plantation in Mulanje in Malawi

One such place, that we have not yet been to, is the Mulanje Forest, part of the Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve, covering some 56 thousand hectares. It is, as with many of the old Biblical sites, and Unesco Heritage site. The flora and fauna found here is unique which includes the endangered Mulanje cedar. Which we think is the Lebanon Cedars mentioned in the Bible. This particular tree has been heavily exploited and cut down since colonial times and likely further back in time. Its the same story, illegal logging, rouge fires, over-logging and bauxite mining are modern culprits. In this area you will find the Mulanje Massif, and Sapitwa Peak (3002m) would be a good candidate for Mount Lebanon. Now the Cedars of SoNiNi, was located in Lebanon which was an area accessible to the Phoenicians. Also said to be in the Southern parts of Mesopotamia. Which makes sense as We are now close to the ancient lands in between the two rivers, Zambezi (Euphrates) and The Tigre (The Congo).

Is Mount Mulanje Mount Lebanon?

Now the Phoenicians, Bantus (Israelites), Egyptians (ancient and modern), Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and Romans all used this type of wood as their timber for shipbuilding. Therefore let us investigate deeper. This South Malawian forest grassland, covers a highland and plateau area in the northeast and Tuchila plain (Shire Highlands). And we are getting closer to the African Rift Valley system, Rua River that borders the region on the south and southeast. This region is a little paradise of lush forest, very fertile soils, plenty of water and a relatively mild climate. Lots of commercial tea grown in the Shire Highlands, Thyolo and Mulanje are the chef export areas.

Map of Southern Malawi, Mount Mulanje above (to the North of) the Zambezi

Now this region, without us having been there yet, is described as a tropical area in the highlands, which makes the place cooler and more humid then the lowlands. This gives aẃay for many interesting species of plants and animals. It only rains between November and April, Southeastern winds, provides some moisture in the dry spells, we are talking mist and and rain along the mountains slopes. And the Mulanje Massif, or as we think Mount Lebanon is known to be covered in frost and even snow at certain times of the year. A Long with the Widdringtonia Whytei, you will also find the Newtonia Buchanani and Khaya anthotheca, good candidates for also beings Cedars of SoNiNi. The sad truth is that many of these have been cleared, and we cannot get to see them being 5000 year old trees. Some of these would have been planted by SoNiNi himself, trees that are thousands of years old.

Newtonia buchanani, a Cedar?

Now these Cedars (in the so-called Afromontane heatlands) you will find 1600 meters above sea level, and there you will find the Mulanje Cedars (Widdringtonia Whytei, and others, same tree as down by the Cape and at Mamre), And most of them are endemic (meaning very native) to the region. Now as the legends go, the demigods and the humans warred in these areas of the so-called Divine Forest of Cedars near Southern Mesopotamia. According to Sumerian legends, this area was protected by Enlil (Enki same as Enkai?) the Sumerian god, however the battle was won and the guardians of the forest (demigods) loosed their grip. Further, Gilgamesh used these Cedars to build his ancient cities, and as we said, almost all the ancient civilisations from the Bible came here to fetch their wood. Phoenicians as their large masts for their fleet of merchant ships, the Romans for their ships as well as war machines, but also Persians, Babylonians and Egyptians. The latter used it cedar resin for mummification and cedar wood was used to create the ancient papyrus rolls. And we know from there that Solomon used some of these cedars that was harvested for the Temple in Jerusalem. Imagine hauling these pieces of timber cross country or sending them down a River. You will be able to image that Jerusalem would not have been far from this place, at all...

Ungesabi lutho,

SoNiNi unathi