Sof Omar Caves

Sof Omar Cave
Tunnel of the cave
Sof Omar Caves within Ethiopia
Location	East Bale Province, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Coordinates	6°54′22.7″N 40°50′41.6″E / 6.906306°N 40.844889°E / 6.906306; 40.844889
Length	15.1 kilometres (9.4 mi)
Discovery	1897
Access	Yes

Sof Omar Caves is the longest cave in Ethiopia at 15.1 kilometres (9.4 mi) long. When surveyed in 1972, it was the longest cave in Africa. Since then explorations in Madagascar (Marosakabe - 113km) and Algeria (Rhar Bou Ma’za - the Tafna River Cave 18.4 km) have overtaken it. ^[1] It is situated to the east of Ginnir, in the East Bale Zone of the Oromia Region in southeastern Ethiopia, through which the Weyib River (Gestro River) flows.^[2] It sinks at the Ayiew Maco entrance and reappears at the Holuca resurgence 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) 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 words for 'name' and "cave", respectively. Long a religious center, 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". As of 2011, the site was added on UNESCO tentative list, still to be considered for a possible inscription.