The Sunday News
Phineas Chauke
ZIMBABWE has a number of icons and symbols that bear some sentimental value to the people. These have an inspirational effect and reflect significant elements of the nation’s history.
These symbols are displayed at different places and national platforms. Understanding these symbols is instrumental in understanding the very fabric of Zimbabwe and the things that matter to Zimbabweans. The way Zimbabweans view, regard and relate with the world around them can be understood from analysing these icons and symbols.
The Flame Lily is Zimbabwe’s national flower. It is a widely colourful flower with yellow, green and red pigments on its petals.
The Flame Lily is widely distributed in Africa and doing very well across different terrains, soil types, altitudes and rainfall patterns. This attribute matches the versatility and adaptability of Zimbabwean people.
The colours of the Flame Lily also correspond with some of the characteristic colours of the Zimbabwean flag. This perennial plant probably represents continuity and seamlessness of life, a theme that dominates African cosmology.
Although it contains considerable toxins rendering it harmful when ingested, the Flame Lily also has healing properties having been used in African traditional medicines to treat such conditions as infertility, kidney problems, wounds, arthritis and cholera.
It is a specially protected plant species in Zimbabwe and when Queen Elizabeth II visited the country (then Rhodesia) in 1947, she was presented with the Flame Lily.
The African fish eagle is a majestic bird that is a delight to watch especially as it captures its piscian prey with such amazing skill. The bird is officially regarded as the Zimbabwe bird and it was the totem of the founders and rulers of the Great Zimbabwe Kingdom. It is therefore, widely believed that the soapstone carvings found at Great Zimbabwe by explorers were artistic impressions of this bird.
It is an emblem of the nation featuring prominently on bank notes, coins, coat of arms and anything representing Zimbabwe.
It is also revered across Africa, earning it the reputation of being “the bird of Africa”. In a more general sense, a bird represents freedom.
The original soapstone carvings of birds found at Great Zimbabwe, however, show considerable distinction in their styling, posture and pedestal size and that probably corroborates the suggestion that the birds represented are not the same species.
Some of the birds are largely believed to be depictions of the Bateleur eagle, a powerful robust and colourful eagle that has been respected during the country’s protracted struggle for liberation as the emissary of the spirits. The Bateleur is the symbol of the nation’s airforce.
The kudu is a magnificent antelope found in Zimbabwe. It is depicted on the country’s coat of arms. Its harmonious blend of black, brown and white colours symbolises the unity of purpose and symbiosis among the various ethnic groups constituting the great nation of Zimbabwe.
Its sheer size and graceful appearance is a sure impression of strength and elegance. Great Zimbabwe national monument is an ancient capital of the entire land known today as Zimbabwe (and) beyond. It is the historic icon after which the country as named and it is a perfect representation of the nation’s historical and cultural heritage.
It is therefore, befittingly depicted on the nation’s coat of arms, money and other important items. It is the symbol of nationhood and identity.
The African elephant is the largest of all existing animals. It is well respected not only for its massive size but also for its incredible brain capacity as well as for the keystone species that it is. In Zimbabwe as it is in a number of African communities, the elephant is regarded as a symbol of royalty and authority. The country’s second capital city, Bulawayo has an elephant on its emblem. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority have yet another magnificent animal on their emblem. The Waterbuck is highly adaptive as it is very comfortable both on land and in the water.
It has a conspicuous white ring on the rump that distinguishes it from the rest of antelopes. It would not be right to wrap this without mention of the iconic food item that has nourished generations after generations of the hardworking Zimbabweans. Maize meal thick porridge known in vernacular as isitshwala/sadza is the country’s staple food and it has become an indispensible part of the way of life of Zimbabweans. Isitshwala/sadza is growing popular with foreign tourists who seem to enjoy not only its taste but also the art of hand-moulding it into fine round balls before eating it, something that Zimbabweans have so well perfected.
– Phineas Chauke is a Bulawayo-based tourism consultant, marketer and tour guide. Contact him on email: [email protected]; mobile: +263776058523.
