Cassengo Falls

Among landscapes marked by the presence of waterways and by the connection between communities and the natural environment, lie the Cassengo Falls, a site known for its crystal-clear waters and a drop of approximately 30 metres that ends in a pool of turbulent waters. The area also maintains a close relationship with the populations of the surrounding areas, being frequented by farmers, fishermen, hunters and, especially on weekends, young people.

Another aspect mentioned by local residents is related to the presence of a rainbow near the falls. According to the account published by Jornal de Angola, some people still maintain old precautions regarding the site and associate the rainbow with a traditional belief, going so far as to describe it as “the killer of bathers”.

The name “Cassengo” is linked, according to the tradition passed down by local residents, to the story of a hunter who is said to have died after slipping while attempting to observe the site from the top of the falls.
The narrative is associated with an expression in the Cokwe language — «Ha ku nonoka keva woma ny txixete, wa holokela mu meia» — whose translation provided by residents of the area is: “Fear and dizziness led to the fatal fall over the precipice”. This is a local oral tradition, passed down by the inhabitants, rather than an event for which historical documentation has been presented in official sources.

The Cassengo Falls are located approximately seven kilometres from National Road 180 and about 90 kilometres from Saurimo. Their location makes the site an option for those wishing to explore natural areas of Lunda Sul outside the main urban centres.

This site therefore brings together three elements that help explain its tourist appeal: the landscape created by the waterfall, the use of the area by local communities and the stories passed down over time about the place.