Holqa Sof Omar: is one of the most spectacular and extensive underground caverns in the world: the Sof Omar cave system. Formed by the Weib River as it changed its course in the distant past and carved a new channel through limestone foothills, the Sof Omar cave system is an extraordinary natural phenomenon of breathtaking beauty.
Weib River
Here the Weib River vanishes into this giant underground world with its arched portals, high eroded ceilings, and deep, vaulted echoing chambers. These caves, now an important Islamic shrine named after the saintly Sheik Sof Omar Ahmed, who took refuge here many centuries ago (around early 11th century AD), have a religious history that predates the arrival of the Muslims in Bale — a history calibrated in thousands, not hundreds, of years.
The traditional belief of this part of Africa revolved around spirit worship and ghost cults in which the most powerful supernatural beings were believed to attach themselves to age-old trees, boulders rocks, and, inhabit caves which became place of veneration where prayers were offered up and sacrifices made.
Cave System
Even today, in this Sof Omar cave system and catacombs there are so many signs of the persistence of such African traditional beliefs and practices. Ever since the coming of the saintly Sheik Sof Omar Ahmed and through its long period of existence the religion Islam is now indigenized into this African traditional belief. For this part of Africa Islam has now become a culture in a unique way and not only a religion.
Crossings
The approach to the caves is made through the tiny village of Sof Omar, perched on the cliffs above the Weib River. To the rear of the village is a dark, gaping crevice down which a precipitous narrow footpath winds to the floor of the first cave. The total length of the Sof Omar cave system is about 16km and all along the cave system there are more than 40 main entrances and exits.
Throughout the cave system, frequent crossings at the Weib River are necessary. It is possible to explore the caves on foot, torches and other lighting are needed, since it is a very long and dark journey that can be accomplished with a help of map indicating the different ground references of the underground cave system.
