Built consistently through the period from the 11th century to the 15th century.The ruins are some of the oldest and largest structures located in Southern Africa.
At its peak the estimated population of 10 000 people lived at the area.The people were involved in farming and rearing of animals.The women make pottery while men melted iron in furnaces.
The karanga people used granite stones to build the walls without mortar as stones were free standing.The walls built to defend harsh weather conditions such as heavy winds.
The a building structures of stones span 1 800 acres (7KM²) and the radius of 100 to 200 miles (160 to 320 km)
In 1531 .Vente Pegado ,.Captain of the Portuguese Garrison of Sogala described the Great Zimbabwe , as among the gold mines of the inland plains between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers there is a fortess built of stones of marvelous size and appears to be no mortar joinig them.The chevron patterns using this stone found on the building.Since sculpting was popular with the shona people.Several birds were sculpted and displayed on the building.
The birds signifies the people's power while others was their totem "Hungwe." It could also have been a symbol of the relationship between the rulers and the religious figures.
One of these birds has become the symbol of the modern state of Zimbabwe.It is an important icon.It is the national emblem which is found on the national coat of arms,flag ,bank notes ,heroes acre ,museum and other important buildings .
The Great Zimbabwe has greatly influenced Zimbabwean art and is now on the world map in number of art activities such as pottery.weaving .sculpture ,drawing and painting.
The artefacts found at Great Zimbabwe which include clay pots, beads and the curved birds and animals.In today pottery making ,one finds that the pots are usually decorated with a vhevron pattern which is found at Great Zimbabwe.
Currently Zimbabwe is recognised to be one of the African 's best stone sculpture.Today sculptors are motivated with some pieces found at the Great Zimbabwe.which includes the birds curved using the soapstone which is now populary used these days.
This edifice is almost surrounded by hills upon which are others resembling it in the fashioning of stone and the absence of mortar and one of them is tower more than 12 fathoms(22m)high.
The natives of the country call these edifices symbaole ,which according to their language signifies court.The conical tower inside the great Enclosure .
The ruins can be grouped into three distinct archtectural groups. These are hill complex,the valley copmlex and the famous Great endo.
The hill complex:was used as a temple.
The valley complex:was for the citizens .
The great Endo:was used for the king
Over 300 structures have been found so far in the Great Endo.
The type of stone structure found on the site give an indication of the status of the citizenry.Structures that were more elaborate were populary built for the kings and situated further away from the centre of the city.It is believed that this was done inorder to escape sleeping sickness
The Great Zimbabwe was a market place with artifacts suggesting that the city formed part of a trade network extending as far as China,Chinese pottery shards, coins from Arabia ,glass beader and other non-local items have been excavated Great Zimbabwe.
Portuguese traders were the first European visitors at the ancient city in the early 16th century.
The ruins were rediscovered during a hunting trip by Adam Renders in 1867 who then showed the ruins to Karl Manch in1871.Bent whose archaelogical experience head all been traced in Greece and Asia Minor started in the ruined mashonaland in 1891.
The scientific archaeological excavations at the site were undertaken by David Randall Maclaver in 1905-1906.Exterior wall of the great Enclosure picture was taken by D.R.Maclaver in 1906.
Researchers agreed that the Great Zimbabwe could have been a product of internal processes ,,but rather had to be the result of outside stimulus.
In 1980 Great Zimbabwe has been employed to mirror and legitimise shifting policies of the ruling regime.
At first it was argued that it represented a form of pre-colonial African Socialism and later the focus shifted to stressing the natural evolution of an accumulation of wealth and power within a ruling alite .
The builders were exploited shona natives and were members of the Bantu family.Some postulate that Great Zimbabwe was the work of the Gokomere people.
Great Zimbabwe and various stone cities in east Africa are also clamed by the Lemba on ethnic group who claims to be ancient jewish descent. Anti-colonists movements ,symbolise Great Zimbabwe as an achievement by black Africans reclaiming its history was a major aim for those wanting independence.
After the majority rule government installed in 1980 the country renamed in honour of the site and its famous soap-stone bird carving become a national symbol depicted on the national flag.Great Zimbabwe has been a UNESCO World heritage site since 1986.It one of the seven wonders of the world together with victoria falls.
Showing posts with label great zimbabwe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label great zimbabwe. Show all posts
Sunday, September 26, 2010
THE HISTORY OF GREAT ZIMBABWE NATIONAL MONUMENT
"Great Zimbabwe or stone buildings" is the name given to stone ruins spread out over 9 722 hectares within the morden day city of Masvingo.
The word "Great" distiquishes the site from hundred small ruins around Zimbabwe.The majority of people were speakers of a language known as " CHIVANHU" or "CHISHONA"which consists of many dialects the major ones being CHIZEZURU,CHIKARANGA,CHIMANYIKA AND CHINDAU.
The shona called themselves vanhu who speak a language chivanhu .The popular name shona is a ndebele word derived from "ensthonalanga "which means people of the west named by Mzilikazi.
The history behind the name "ZIMBABWE", has not been established. The word Zimbabwe is clearly from the chikaranga dialect of chivanhu or chishona.The name is a short for for "ZIMBA REMABWE" a shona dialect Chikaranga the term which means the great or big house built of a stone boulder.
A linguistic analysis of the name Zimbabwe clearly indicates that the origin of the name refers to the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe whose huge building were built of stone boulders.
The Chikaranga -speaking shona people are found around Great Zimbabwe in the current province of Masvingo and have been known to have inhabited the area since the great building's inception.
The other argument is that Zimbabwe is contracted form of "dzimba woye" which simply means houses in Zezuru another shona dialect.This term specifically reserved for chiefs ' houses or graves.
It should also be noted that the Chizezuru speaking people are found to the North-east of Great Zimbabwe ,about 500 kilometres away.
The first theory could be said to have the advantage of a linguistic analysis that produced the outcome that it ties in the physical nature of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe and that is based on language in use today among the people who are found in the surrounding area today.
The second thought of the name Zimbabwe brings in the concept of veneration of the ancient city which is known to be associated with Great Zimbabwe as national monument.However , a linguistic analysis would seem not to as sound as that of the first thought. For example "dzimba woye" in both Chikaranga and Chizezuru ,be sensibly contradicted to become Zimbabwe.
Dzimba literally means "houses" and "woye" is merely a sound used in respectful solicitation .Thus the two words can't lead to the name Zimbabwe.
Moreover the Chikaranga word "bwe" doesn'exist in Chizezuru the word is "dombo". It should be noted that Chizezuru and Chikaranga are merely dialects of one language called Chivanhu or Chishona only a few words lie outside their intersection for example "bwe" and "dombo".The lack of proximity of the Zezurus to the Great Zimbabwe seems to dimiss the second theory as baseless.
The veneration of Great Zimbabwe as a shrine or religious centre started sometime after its inhabitants deserted the palace.The various historians cited the reasons such as overpopulation dwindle of resouces such as fire wood or out break of diseases,due to persistent droughts,forced inhabitants to look for greener pastures for their cattle which was their staple food.The decline in gold trade led people to seek other avenues for trade.Conservation was no longer practiced and some people left the area because they want to form their state ,for example Nyatsimba Mutota.
Great Zimbabwe was associated with the chiefs courts,veneration and religious shrines,for instance there is a venerated stone boulder "dombo ramwari" (stone of God) as noted above dombo is the Chizezuru word for bwe in Chikaranga..
There is also a place known as chibwedziva in nearby CHIREDZI which also indicates a culture of veneration stone structure as well as water in natural dams and lakes.
The word "Great" distiquishes the site from hundred small ruins around Zimbabwe.The majority of people were speakers of a language known as " CHIVANHU" or "CHISHONA"which consists of many dialects the major ones being CHIZEZURU,CHIKARANGA,CHIMANYIKA AND CHINDAU.
The shona called themselves vanhu who speak a language chivanhu .The popular name shona is a ndebele word derived from "ensthonalanga "which means people of the west named by Mzilikazi.
The history behind the name "ZIMBABWE", has not been established. The word Zimbabwe is clearly from the chikaranga dialect of chivanhu or chishona.The name is a short for for "ZIMBA REMABWE" a shona dialect Chikaranga the term which means the great or big house built of a stone boulder.
A linguistic analysis of the name Zimbabwe clearly indicates that the origin of the name refers to the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe whose huge building were built of stone boulders.
The Chikaranga -speaking shona people are found around Great Zimbabwe in the current province of Masvingo and have been known to have inhabited the area since the great building's inception.
The other argument is that Zimbabwe is contracted form of "dzimba woye" which simply means houses in Zezuru another shona dialect.This term specifically reserved for chiefs ' houses or graves.
It should also be noted that the Chizezuru speaking people are found to the North-east of Great Zimbabwe ,about 500 kilometres away.
The first theory could be said to have the advantage of a linguistic analysis that produced the outcome that it ties in the physical nature of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe and that is based on language in use today among the people who are found in the surrounding area today.
The second thought of the name Zimbabwe brings in the concept of veneration of the ancient city which is known to be associated with Great Zimbabwe as national monument.However , a linguistic analysis would seem not to as sound as that of the first thought. For example "dzimba woye" in both Chikaranga and Chizezuru ,be sensibly contradicted to become Zimbabwe.
Dzimba literally means "houses" and "woye" is merely a sound used in respectful solicitation .Thus the two words can't lead to the name Zimbabwe.
Moreover the Chikaranga word "bwe" doesn'exist in Chizezuru the word is "dombo". It should be noted that Chizezuru and Chikaranga are merely dialects of one language called Chivanhu or Chishona only a few words lie outside their intersection for example "bwe" and "dombo".The lack of proximity of the Zezurus to the Great Zimbabwe seems to dimiss the second theory as baseless.
The veneration of Great Zimbabwe as a shrine or religious centre started sometime after its inhabitants deserted the palace.The various historians cited the reasons such as overpopulation dwindle of resouces such as fire wood or out break of diseases,due to persistent droughts,forced inhabitants to look for greener pastures for their cattle which was their staple food.The decline in gold trade led people to seek other avenues for trade.Conservation was no longer practiced and some people left the area because they want to form their state ,for example Nyatsimba Mutota.
Great Zimbabwe was associated with the chiefs courts,veneration and religious shrines,for instance there is a venerated stone boulder "dombo ramwari" (stone of God) as noted above dombo is the Chizezuru word for bwe in Chikaranga..
There is also a place known as chibwedziva in nearby CHIREDZI which also indicates a culture of veneration stone structure as well as water in natural dams and lakes.
Zimbabwe the beautiful country for tourists .
Zimbabwe is much more than just somewhere to have a vacation:It is a place capable of elating body and soul.It is also one of the most nature-packed landlocked country in southern Africa.
Although its official language has been English since the day Cecil John Rhodes sent his delegation to bribe Lobengula to give away this land for the purpose of mining gold.Chishona and Sindebele is also spoken by over 90% of the population that is the major ethnic groups who arrived more than 300 years before Europeans in Zimbabwe.Its history ,magnificent natural scenarios and the facilities for outdoor living and activities animal viewing,watching the great ruins,mountain climbing,diving and trekking make this land unique.
A list of places worth visiting would spend the whole day listing ,the ones not to be missed are Victoria Falls,Great Zimbabwe,Manna pools,Hwange National park ,The Limpopo Transfrontia park and The Eastern Highlands, where the land is the habitant of beautful birds ,animals and spectacular vegetation.
Zimbabwe also boasts many Art Galleries and an intense cultural life --and ,in a country which abounds in natural resources ,the possibility of practising ecotourism.
The visitors' experience varies according to the method of exploration chosen.All options are inviting in this beautful land which is bathed with abandance of sunlight,wildlife animals and vegetation.
Despite its proximity to South Africa and Botswana, There are a lot of giant mamals like elephants,lions ,giraffe ,rhinocerous,kudu and hyppotamus.There are however , millions of other animals zebras,hare,entlope,leopard,cheetah etc.And insects the size of mouse and pangolins which regarded as king's meat.You will be lucky if you find over 650 species of birds and in particular the hungwe bird which is the national bird and a symbol in Zimbabwe colours, because it believed to be only left less than 10 of the population and is now regarded as extinct .The bird is now national icon appear on the flag , other government buildings and banners on all national ceremonies.
The country has some rare characteristics, derived from geological heritage that allowed ancient plant and animal species to survive and develop ,isolated from the rest of the world.Zimbabwe according to the geologist is part of the gondwanaland which dates back to 250 million years ago.
Pehaps this heritage explains the incredibly beautiful contrasts of its geograpgy:mountain chains that are the famous great dyke,mavhuradonha ,marabada hills ,Nyangu mountains and many others,heavy rainfall,dry high country basins , lakes and full flowing rivers.The dormant volcanos originates the land some curious forms ,with rises slopes combining the greens of an incomparable vegetation with the blues of waters of the beloved land.
Statistics show that 75% of the tourists arriving in Zimbabwe visit the Victoria Falls and the Zimbabwe Ruins.
Like most of the seven wonders of the world Great Zimbabwe and victoria Falls combined what tourists want to spend their leisure enjoy this manmade infrustructure and the natural flowing waters that thunders as the great sound produced.
On the eastern highlands the tourist enjoy the vegetation and birds which singing melodious pitchs in the evergreen vegetation.
And no visit to this area would complete without view the sea on the Mozambique coast .Here fishing the trout fish .
The highest peak where snow is only found on this ceiling and the beauty of nature as you view different species of both animals and plants.
The Bvumba mountains which situated to the south east of Mutare become the best play ground of golf .With remarkable towering thausand of feet above on the mountains viewing the aesthetic of nature seeing diifferent colours in one of the coolest places found in savanna woodlands.
Try taking a leisurely drive up the Bvumba mountains ,a steep winding mountain road which in places is only wide enough for your car whch would put many a mountain track to shame.Drops which are sometimes as deep as 600 metres are only centmetres away.
If you are of the more adventurous type ,shotover jet has just the trip for you.Whistling along at tree-top level in a jet-powered hericopter you marvel at the beauty of this picturesque location with its snowcapped mountain peaks reaching skywards while down below water-skiers seem balanced on the air as they ski across a crastal clear mountain pool.
Then go down through winding canyons ,and from below look up at the rocks which disappear out of view.
Then it's time for change as the helicopter bowls around the corner and comes to rest.
The most traditional delicacies of Zimbabwe cuisine are barbecued beef ,chicken, mutton, goat's meat accompanied by stiff porridge from grounded corn .As part of the national's tourism campaign .The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority offices give tourists restaurant guides .Leading restaurants also offer an extremely varied fare of international dishes.
Not all restaurants in Zimbabwe offer alcoholic beverages .Give your own choice of wine and whatever else you would like to drink with your meal.The rest is a personal experience ,of the kind that is worth having atleast once in your only one time life opportunity.
Although its official language has been English since the day Cecil John Rhodes sent his delegation to bribe Lobengula to give away this land for the purpose of mining gold.Chishona and Sindebele is also spoken by over 90% of the population that is the major ethnic groups who arrived more than 300 years before Europeans in Zimbabwe.Its history ,magnificent natural scenarios and the facilities for outdoor living and activities animal viewing,watching the great ruins,mountain climbing,diving and trekking make this land unique.
A list of places worth visiting would spend the whole day listing ,the ones not to be missed are Victoria Falls,Great Zimbabwe,Manna pools,Hwange National park ,The Limpopo Transfrontia park and The Eastern Highlands, where the land is the habitant of beautful birds ,animals and spectacular vegetation.
Zimbabwe also boasts many Art Galleries and an intense cultural life --and ,in a country which abounds in natural resources ,the possibility of practising ecotourism.
The visitors' experience varies according to the method of exploration chosen.All options are inviting in this beautful land which is bathed with abandance of sunlight,wildlife animals and vegetation.
Despite its proximity to South Africa and Botswana, There are a lot of giant mamals like elephants,lions ,giraffe ,rhinocerous,kudu and hyppotamus.There are however , millions of other animals zebras,hare,entlope,leopard,cheetah etc.And insects the size of mouse and pangolins which regarded as king's meat.You will be lucky if you find over 650 species of birds and in particular the hungwe bird which is the national bird and a symbol in Zimbabwe colours, because it believed to be only left less than 10 of the population and is now regarded as extinct .The bird is now national icon appear on the flag , other government buildings and banners on all national ceremonies.
The country has some rare characteristics, derived from geological heritage that allowed ancient plant and animal species to survive and develop ,isolated from the rest of the world.Zimbabwe according to the geologist is part of the gondwanaland which dates back to 250 million years ago.
Pehaps this heritage explains the incredibly beautiful contrasts of its geograpgy:mountain chains that are the famous great dyke,mavhuradonha ,marabada hills ,Nyangu mountains and many others,heavy rainfall,dry high country basins , lakes and full flowing rivers.The dormant volcanos originates the land some curious forms ,with rises slopes combining the greens of an incomparable vegetation with the blues of waters of the beloved land.
Statistics show that 75% of the tourists arriving in Zimbabwe visit the Victoria Falls and the Zimbabwe Ruins.
Like most of the seven wonders of the world Great Zimbabwe and victoria Falls combined what tourists want to spend their leisure enjoy this manmade infrustructure and the natural flowing waters that thunders as the great sound produced.
On the eastern highlands the tourist enjoy the vegetation and birds which singing melodious pitchs in the evergreen vegetation.
And no visit to this area would complete without view the sea on the Mozambique coast .Here fishing the trout fish .
The highest peak where snow is only found on this ceiling and the beauty of nature as you view different species of both animals and plants.
The Bvumba mountains which situated to the south east of Mutare become the best play ground of golf .With remarkable towering thausand of feet above on the mountains viewing the aesthetic of nature seeing diifferent colours in one of the coolest places found in savanna woodlands.
Try taking a leisurely drive up the Bvumba mountains ,a steep winding mountain road which in places is only wide enough for your car whch would put many a mountain track to shame.Drops which are sometimes as deep as 600 metres are only centmetres away.
If you are of the more adventurous type ,shotover jet has just the trip for you.Whistling along at tree-top level in a jet-powered hericopter you marvel at the beauty of this picturesque location with its snowcapped mountain peaks reaching skywards while down below water-skiers seem balanced on the air as they ski across a crastal clear mountain pool.
Then go down through winding canyons ,and from below look up at the rocks which disappear out of view.
Then it's time for change as the helicopter bowls around the corner and comes to rest.
The most traditional delicacies of Zimbabwe cuisine are barbecued beef ,chicken, mutton, goat's meat accompanied by stiff porridge from grounded corn .As part of the national's tourism campaign .The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority offices give tourists restaurant guides .Leading restaurants also offer an extremely varied fare of international dishes.
Not all restaurants in Zimbabwe offer alcoholic beverages .Give your own choice of wine and whatever else you would like to drink with your meal.The rest is a personal experience ,of the kind that is worth having atleast once in your only one time life opportunity.
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