Sof Omar Cave is the longest
cave in
Ethiopia at long; sources claim it is the longest system of caves in
Africa. It is situated to the east of
Robe, in the
Bale Zone of the
Oromia Region in southeastern Ethiopia, through which the
Weyib River (Gestro River) flows. It sinks at the Ayiew Maco entrance and reappears at the Holuca resurgence away. According to tradition Sof Omar was the name of a Muslim holy man who lived in the area and Ayiew the name of his daughter. Maco and Holuca are local names for 'name' and 'cave', respectively. Long a religious centre, it is sacred both to
Islam and the local Oromo
traditional religion. The caves are known for their many pillars, particularly in the 'Chamber of Columns'.