What do you call a pile of rocks that has been built as a marker or memorial?

peasypod

A cairn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn Aug 03 06, 8:58 PM

zbeckabee

A nickel and three pennies for you Peasy if you can give me the ZULU word for it. Aug 03 06, 9:07 PM

peasypod

An isiVivane? Aug 03 06, 9:10 PM

kyleisalive

In northern Canada, we have Inukshuks created by the inuit. They also line the roads throughout canada because they're created by locals. Just a pile of stones shaped like a person. Aug 03 06, 10:20 PM

McGruff

There is an old tradition where every traveller who passes a certain spot would add a stone to a pile of stones. In doing this, every traveller become part of the common purpose and identifies with a certain good cause. This ritual is named isivivane. http://www.workinfo.com/free/Downloads/91.htm This site gives a somewhat different definition: I took these pictures of the iSivivane, which is the symbolic resting place of deceased freedom fighters, particularly the ones whose remains were never found. The 'smoke' that you see is actually jets of a fine mist of water, presumably a visual representation of the spirits. Its placed on the side of a hill overlooking the city. The name iSivivane is a Zulu word meaning 'resting place'. http://laviniasart.blogspot.com/2006/01/freedom-park-isivivane-series.html A Isivivane was also begun along side of the plaque by The Trustees, Advisors and Management of the Reserve to celebrate the occassion in traditional Zulu Custom. An Isivivane is an important part of Zulu culture as it marks the place where an event took place. It is a pile of stones and rocks which are placed to honour the Amadhlozi. No Zulu passes by without paying respects. After a specific incident, good or bad, a cairn would be started, after which the Indunas (local leaders) and other travellers would go and wash themselves, then return to the site and throw another stone onto the cairn after spitting on it. After this anyone passing the Isivivane would pay their respects by putting another stone on after spitting on it. By not showing respect they would have bad luck on their journey, thus the cairns have come to be known as the luck of the paths. http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:kaQ6tdKNaV4J: www.ethosmarketing.co.uk/newsletterKZN0604.html +isiVivane&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7&ie=UTF-8 Aug 04 06, 5:47 AM

robboy

It's still called a cairn, as Wales is on Zulu Time. Ok, maybe not, but the following seems to be your answer, zbee. "In the Museum grounds are a Zulu war horn formation display, isisivivane (cairn) and a reed “garden”. The latter is used to explain the symbolic importance of reeds (Annual Reed Ceremony) to the Zulu nation and has a historical significance to Ncome. During good seasons, the garden is home to a variety of bird-life." http://www.voortrekkermon.org.za/Bloedrivier/BREnglish/ncome2.htm Aug 04 06, 6:06 AM

doug13

it is called [ a rock carin ] Aug 04 06, 7:03 AM

zbeckabee

A mass of coinage to all of you! Excellent job and some mighty fine links!!!!! Aug 04 06, 7:09 AM