Culture and history

The historical axis of the country is the settlement of Great Zimbabwe (XI-XV centuries), the center of trade in gold and ivory, which gave the name to the state and its stone architecture.

The states of Mutapa and Rozvi later emerged; in the 19th century, the Ndebele under Mzilikazi formed their own political tradition in the southwest.

The era of the British South Africa Company and Southern Rhodesia gave way to the unilateral "declaration of independence" of the white regime (1965) and the war for liberation; On April 18, 1980, Zimbabwe declared independence.

The memory of "Chimureng" - the struggle for freedom - has become an important part of national identity.

The cultural code is polyphonic: of the 16 official languages, Shona and Ndebele are the most common (along with English).

Musical heart - mbira dzavadzimu, marimba, drum banners and chimurenga genre; sungura and gospel are also popular.

In visual art, stone sculpture of Shona is world famous, and Ndebele are famous for geometric painting of dwellings and beaded ornaments; Bingi baskets and wood carving are noticeable in crafts.

Natural and sacred landscapes - Victoria Falls (Mosi oa Tunya), the granite domes of Matobo and rock paintings - are embedded in cultural memory.

Everyday cuisine is dominated by sadza with vegetable "relish," meat and fish (including capenta from Caribbean).

This is the image of a country where an ancient stone and a modern urban scene sound in unison.