KHAMI RUINS: Fun surrounded by stratigraphy

24 Jan, 2016 - 00:01 0 Views
KHAMI RUINS: Fun surrounded by stratigraphy Khami Ruins

The Sunday News

khami ruins

Roberta Katunga, Sunday Life reporter
DESPITE being overshadowed by the Great Zimbabwe, Khami Ruins, situated a few kilometres outside Bulawayo, has much to offer.

The ruins boast of large walls, built into a hillside, providing a great bird spotting area.

Probably the least known of Zimbabwe’s five world heritage sites, Khami ruins is situated about 22km outside Bulawayo.

Once the capital of the Torwa Shona State between 1450 and around 1650, after the capital at Great Zimbabwe in Masvingo was abandoned, Khami Ruins hosts an array of local, regional and international tourists who visit the country to have a realistic grasp of Zimbabwe’s diverse and heartening natural environment. Developed after the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the Khami Ruins are of great archaeological interest and the discovery of objects from Europe and China show that Khami was a major centre for trade over a long period of time.

While the walls in Masvingo at Great Zimbabwe are mainly freestanding, the ones at Khami are built into the hillside.

The dry stone walls created stepped terraces on which houses for royalty were built. The huts (made of clay, wooden poles and thatch) have long since decayed, but the decorated terraces remain. The majority of the people lived in the valley below the terraces — up to 7 000 inhabitants, by some accounts. A walk to the Hill Ruins site, which was believed to be where the chief and his household lived, will show that the walls have recently been restored, but the original stonework patterns are plain to see.

A guided tour of the Khami Ruins will bring to the fore it historical importance which lies in its position at the watershed between the history of Great Zimbabwe and the later Zimbabwe period. It is one of the few Zimbabwe sites that were not destroyed by treasure hunters and its undisturbed stratigraphy is scientifically important in providing a much clearer insight into the history of the country. The architecture of the site and the archaeological artefact provide evidence for an exceptional understanding of strong, united, early civilisations. They also offer information on the property’s complex socio-economic, religious and spiritual significance for the local communities and for the overall chronological development of Zimbabwe tradition; initiated in Mapungubwe (South Africa), extending to Great Zimbabwe, and through the emergence of later states.

The chief’s residence (Mambo) was located towards the north on the Hill Ruin site with its adjacent cultivation terraces. The population lived in daga huts of cob work, surrounded by a series of granite walls.

These structures display a high standard of workmanship, a great number of narrow passageways and perambulatory galleries and impressive chevron and checkered wall decorations.

Khami conforms to Great Zimbabwe in a number of archaeological and architectural aspects but it possesses certain features particular to itself and its successors such as Danangombe and Zinjanja. Revetments or retaining walls found expression for the first time in the architectural history of the sub-region at Khami, and with it were elaborate decorations; it still has the longest decorated wall in the entire sub-region.

There are quite a number of activities, which suit people of different interests, races and religions. Some the activities found here include viewing of historical material and photo displays.

The site can also provide an opportunity for a guided tour with professional archaeologists and historians who are trained to narrate the history of the site for academics, foreigners as well as general visitors.

After a tour of the ruins, there is a pathway that leads down to a picnic area, where one can enjoy a packed lunch. There are a number of concrete tables and benches under large, shady trees — a pleasant place to have some sandwiches after the walk.

There is also a barbeque area with stands for those who would rather self cater and enjoy a sumptuous lunch of meat. Be sure to carry some cold water for the tour so as to stay hydrated especially in summer, where temperatures can be extremely high.

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