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Zimbabwe Culture

Zimbabwe Culture is rich and diverse. The History of Zimbabwe dates back to the Khoisan people more than 5000 years ago. However these people were absorbed or displaced by the Xhosa and Zulu people. In the early 19th century an off shoot of the Zulus lead by Mzilikazi formed the Matabele Nation in the south and west of Zimbabwe.

The Mashona who are today the majority of the Zimbabwe population began migrating into the area around 300 AD. Around the 10th century, trade developed between the Mashona and the Phoenicians. Through the period from the 11th century to the 15th century, descendants of the Shona speaking people are believed to have built the ruins of Great Zimbabwe.

These ruins of Ancient Zimbabwe are some of the oldest and largest structures located in Southern Africa, and are a truly remarkable sight to see. At its peak, estimates are that the ruins of Great Zimbabwe had as many as 18,000 inhabitants. The ruins span 1,800 acres (7 km²) and cover a radius of 100 to 200 miles (160 to 320 km). The Great Zimbabwe ruins are built entirely of Stone. It was here that the iconic Zimbabwe Birds were found.

In western Zimbabwe live a small group of people called the Vadoma people, who are more commonly known as the “ostrich people” or the “two-toed tribe”.

The Matabele are now the second largest population of Zimbabwe people. Other minority ethnic groups include white Zimbabweans, mainly of British origin, and various Asian ethnic groups, mostly Indian and Chinese.

These remarkable people of Zimbabwe have developed many unique Zimbabwe cultures. Not least of these is Zimbabwe art which is certainly among some of the finest African art you will find.

Shona Stone Sculpture is world renowned and you will find it selling for extremely high prices in many galleries around the world. Each piece reflects a story that is in the mind of the sculptor. No where else in Africa will you find such incredibly talented stone art.

Meanwhile the Matabele are renowned for their talent of wood carving. Many hardwood species exist in Matabeleland including the infamous Rhodesian Teak (Baikiaea Plurijuga) and these artist have developed a unique talent for carving them. Like the Shona stone sculpture you can search Africa far and wide before you find such masterpieces.

Their art is not restricted to carving though as the Zimbabwe people are highly talented in pottery, basket ware, beadwork, textiles, jewellery and much more.

Zimbabwe culture is rich in Customs and Traditions which are extremely detailed and we have specific pages dedicated to them via these links.

Forty to fifty percent of Zimbabweans attend Christian churches. However like most former European colonies, Christianity is often mixed with indigenous beliefs. Besides Christianity, the Mwari cult is the most practiced non-Christian religion which involves ancestor worship and spiritual intercession. Mwari is an unknown supreme being that communicates with humans through a cave dwelling oracle known as the Voice of Mwari.

English is the official language of Zimbabwe though only two per cent consider it their native language, mainly the white and Coloured (mixed race) minorities. English is spoken primarily in the cities, but less so in rural areas. The rest of the Zimbabwe population speaks Bantu languages like Shona spoken by the Mashona people(76 per cent) and Ndebele spoken by the Matabele people(18 per cent)..

Sport is an important part of Zimbabwe culture. Football being by far the most popular sport, as this is played by the majority of the African population. Rugby union and Cricket are also played, but traditionally this was among the white minority, however this has changed since Zimbabwe independence in 1980 and these sports, especially cricket now have a strong following. Zimbabwe become a test nation in the 1990’s. Sadly politics has once again intervened and the national cricket team is now no longer enjoying much success. Many countries refuse to play them due to the current policies of the government.

Zimbabwe has won Eight Olympic medals, one in field hockey at the (boycotted) 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Kirsty Coventry (Swimming) is by far the heroine though with three medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and another 4 medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

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