Zimbabwe Traditions

One of the earliest known Zimbabwe Traditions is the use of Totems

Totems also know as mitupos were used by the Mashona to identify the different clans that mad up the ancient civilizations of the dynasties.The symbols are usually associated with animal names and provide the social identity of the clan. They are also meant to guard against incestuous behaviour and to praise someone in recited poetry.there are at least 25 identifiable totems and 60 principal names (zvidawo) in the contemporary mashoa society.

Every Mashona clan is identified by a particular totem and a principal praise name, which distinguishes people who have the same totem but are from different clans.
People of the same totem are descendants of one common ancestor and the Mashona recognize this totem unity even across tribal boundary lines. Totem identity is very important at traditional ceremonies. For example, a person of the same totem, even when that person is from a different tribe, can initiate burial of the deceased. However, a person from a different totem cannot initiate burial and if he does, he risks paying a substantial fine to the family of the deceased.
For thousands of years, the mashona have used the mashona in their ceremonies. It plays a major role in Zimbabwe tradition. The mbira is a musical instrument constructed of a wooden board with staggered metal keys.
Mbira music is sacred in the mashona culture as it is used to contact both deceased ancestors and tribal guardians during all-night Mbira ceremonies. During these ceremonies, the people receive guidance from the spirits of family ancestors (vadzimu), spirits of deceased chiefs (mhondoro) and the most powerful guardian spirits of the Mashona (makombwe).
Zimbabwe Tradition uses the mbira to govern the weather in times such as droughts and floods. It also chases away harmful spirits and cures sickness. The mbira is used in all celebrations, such as weddings and the installation of new chiefs, as well as death ceremonies.

Zimbabwe Resorts

The luxurious Zimbabwe Resorts are there to complete the adventurous trip of the tourists in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a place of excitement and thrill with loads of fun filled activities. To make the trips comfortable, Resorts of Zimbabwe are mostly near the Victoria Falls and National Park, which are the two main attractions of Zimbabwe. Resorts in Zimbabwe offer various kinds of safaris, sports and night drive. The safaris include lake safaris, forest safaris and a lot more. The Zimbabwe Lodgingmakes the trips in Zimbabwe much comfortable. The lavish establishment of the resorts offer lot of facilities for the convenience of the guests as well as so that the travelers can enjoy their tours to the best. Popular Resorts of Zimbabwe are Hunters Lodge, Senanga Horse Safaris, Senanga Night Drives Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Caribbea Bay, Lukuthula Lodges and Troutbeck Inn. Zimbabwe Resorts are located near the interests of the tourists for their convenience. The lavish resorts are equipped with facilities like swimming pool, gym, jacuzzi, spa and a lot more. The Resorts arrange for the sightseeing as well for the guests. The various exciting activities and sports famous in Zimbabwe are also enjoyed in the resorts.

Zimbabwe Holiday

Zimbabwe Holiday is always exciting with its waterfalls and wildlife all around.Holiday in Zimbabwe consists of sightseeing and jungle safari mainly.Zimbabwe Tourism arranges magnificent trips to Zimbabwe, which include traveling to Zimbabwe, sightseeing, traveling in and around the country and a lot more of activities like sports.

Zimbabwe is a the perfect holiday destination for people, who are adventurous. The exotic beauty of nature in Zimbabwe is any day unparalleled to that of any country. Safaris through forests are overwhelming and truly exciting as well as life time experiences. Botswana's Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta and the Victoria falls add to the attractions of Zimbabwe. Tourism of Zimbabwe offers complete packages including everything around.

Popular Hotels and Safari Lodges for Zimbabwe Holiday

• Elephant Hills Intercontinental
• Fothergill Safari Lodge
• Hwange Safari Lodge
• Kanondo Tree Camp
• Katshana Tree Lodge Makalolo Plains
• Matetsi Safari Lodges
• Sanyati Lodge
• The Kingdom of Victoria Falls Ruchomechi Safari Lodge
• Sable Valley Lodge
• Sikumi Tree Lodge
• Victoria Falls Hotel
• Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Zimbabwe Holiday can be within your budget and still optimize your satisfaction. You can also get to feel the culture of the place and get to shop traditional items, which are indeed exquisite. 

Lifestyle of Zimbabweans

Zimbabwe is a beautiful place where lifestyle revolves around sports such as cricket, rugby union and football. All Zimbabweans lead their lives in simple manner without much humdrum. They are nature friendly people and they have a rich culture and heritage. Living in Zimbabwe is all about the co-existence of different hybrid cultures and the new country is growing considerably in terms of economy, which is facilitating the locals to lead better lives. Lifestyle in Zimbabwe is not too hectic and people usually keep to themselves rather than interacting much and forming groups. Due to the natural beauty of the country, tourists from various countries flock to this land hence enabling the government to earn more revenue from the tourism department. The political scenario is a matter of great importance in the lives of the local people. Living in Zimbabwe is thus interesting and pleasurable because it is a land of adventures. 

not all Zimbabweans have similar living conditions
Majority of village families do not get tap water. A large number of roads in the countryside are not properly paved. These places don't have any advanced transportation system. This condition deteriorates in the rainy season. 

The entire country has insufficient health care
The village rural population is the worst affected. Some communities usually do not have the facilities of a well-educated nurse, not to mention a doctor. There is always dearth of medicines. Some of the commonest ailments are bilharzia, malaria, sexually transmitted diseases, cholera, tetanus, typhoid and polio. 

In both rural areas and metropolitan regions, there are huge disparities in the lifestyle of people. In the urban areas, the dissimilarities are dependent on a person's gender, religion, and socioeconomic status. Asians, people of European descent, and people of hybrid race have the benefit of the best lifestyle. The aristocratic blacks come after them, including merchants and scholars. 

In cities, the condition of women is worse. Sometimes, they are subject to prejudice. In the rural areas, some families are richer than others due to assistance from their children who are employed in the cities. Others make money from occupations like teaching. 

Zimbabwe Flag

Symbolism of the flag

The green represents Country's vegetation and land resources. The yellow represents the country's mineral wealth. The red represents the blood spilt during the liberation struggle. Black represents the black majority. The zimbabwe bird is the National Emblem of Zimbabwe. The white triangle stands for peace and the "way forward". The Red Star stands for internationalism (and reflects the ruling party's socialist credentials). 


Zimbabwe Flag Description:
The flag of Zimbabwe consists of seven horizontal stripes of equal width. The middle stripe is black and there are stripes of red, green and yellow above and below the black stripe. On the left side of the Zimbabwe flag is a white horizontal triangle with a red, five-point star in it and on top of the star there is a yellow Great Zimbabwe bird.

Zimbabwe Flag Meaning:
The red stripes represent the blood shed for independence; the yellow represents the country's mineral wealth; the green symbolizes Zimbabwe's agriculture and the land; the black stripe represents the African people; and the white stands for peace. The Great Zimbabwe bird is a national symbol and the red star behind the bird represents socialism.

Zimbabwe Flag History:
The flag was adopted on April 18, 1980. Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain as Southern Rhodesia in 1965 and then gained independence from Rhodesia as Zimbabwe on April 17, 1980. The Zimbabwe flag incorporates the pan-African colors of red, yellow and green, which were carried by one of the nationalist groups fighting for Zimbabwe's independence. The pan-African colors are used by many African ex-colonies and stand for African independence and unity. It is believed the colors originated from the flag of Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa.

Interesting Zimbabwe Flag Facts:
A law in Zimbabwe states that any person who burns, mutilates or otherwise insults the flag or shows it disrespect, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.

The capital city of Zimbabwe (Harare)

Formerly Salisbury, Harare, the capital, is Zimbabwe's commercial and industrial centre and also the usual starting point for any visit. it is a beautiful , clean and sophisticated city. It is a city of modern buildings, wide thoroughfares, numerous parks and gardens.A city whose streets are lined with flowering trees and a wonderful and invigorating climate.






 Harare is Zimbabwe's largest city and its administrative, commercial, and communications center. It has a mild climate and is the trade center for an agricultural region .




Main products
are tobacco, corn, cotton, and citrus fruits.

Manufactures
 include textiles, clothing, processed food and tobacco, beverages, steel, chemicals, furniture, fertilizers, and construction materials.
Gold is mined in the area.


 Harare is connected by rail with Bulawayo, in SW Zimbabwe. The city was founded in 1890 as a fort by the Pioneer Column, a mercenary force organized by Cecil J. Rhodes to seize Mashonaland. The city was originally named Salisbury after the 3d marquess of Salisbury, then British prime minister. It became a municipality in 1897 and a city in 1935. Salisbury was the capital of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-63). After  World war II the population grew as many people migrated to the city. After Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, the name of the city was changed to Harare.








There is a strong appreciation for the city's cultural and historical heritage and a number of the older buildings have been preserved. The Mining Pension Fund Building at Central Avenue and Second Street is one example and many more are to be found along Robert Mugabe Road between Second Street and Julius Nyerere Way.





The National Gallery houses not only a valuable and interesting national collection but also hosts travelling international exhibitions and has a permanent display of some outstanding Shona soft-stone carvings.

The priceless collection of Rhodesiana and Africana in the form of diaries, notebooks and reports of various origins, are housed in the National Archives. Some of the original works of some of the greatest names in African exploration and missionary can be viewed.


Other institutions which are well worth visiting include the Queen Victoria Museum and the Queen Victoria National Library, both at the Civic Centre; in Rotten Row.

The city was laid out with large open spaces like the 68ha National Botanic Garden with more than 900 species of wild trees and shrubs from all over the country. The Mukuvisi Woodlands
is 277 hectares of remarkably preserved natural woodland that stances astride the banks of the small Mukuvisi stream.






A variety of bird and of wild animal species such as giraffe, zebra, impala, tsessche, wildebeest, bushbuck, steenbuck, reed buck and eland can be viewed.

If you want to experience shopping the way it is traditionally done in many African countries, you need to stroll around at the open flea-market at Mbare. Here tourists can feast their eyes on a colourful array of baskets, food, clothing and other items.




You can find it all here—vegetables, plumbing supplies, thumb pianos, ceremonial herbs.





Quick Facts

The official language is English. Shona and Ndebele are also spoken.

July is the coldest month and October is the hottest month in Harare.

One of the important rivers of Harare is Manyame River.

The local time of Harare is +2 hours ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

A yellow fever vaccination certificate has to be produced by the travelers coming from infected countries to Harare.

For emergency service, one has to make a call at '999'.

The international dialing code is +263. The STD code of Harare is (0)4.

Matobo (attraction)

Fast Facts

• Location:Approximately 50 km south of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.
• Attraction Type: National park
• Significance: A UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its rock paintings
• Best Time to Visit: May to October
• Visiting Hours: Daytime
• How to Reach: By road from Bulawayo
• Nearest International Airport: Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, Bulawayo

Matobo National Park is an amazing landscape of granite boulders located about 50 km from Bulawayo. Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe was initially named 'Sindebele', meaning 'bald heads', by Mzilikazi, a local warrior chief. The landscape is stunning with cracks and crevices, which even go down to the bedrock level, created by agents of erosion over millennia. In addition to its breathtaking landscape, Matobo is also renowned for its inimitable cave paintings. 

the ancient granite formations of the Matobo Hills, situated about 20 minutes by car from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, are of great historical and spiritual significance, with art and artifacts dating back thousands of years.

No one can visit the Matobo Hills and stay unaffected by their brooding majesty. Situated in the heart of Matabelaland in Zimbabwe, these hills have long been the scene of ceremonies and rituals. Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele nation, gave the area its name. Apparently the smooth granite boulders reminded him of a gathering of his old indunas and he called the area amaTobo, “the bald heads”. Mzilikazi is interred here in a hillside tomb. His possessions, including wagons and furniture, have been sealed for over a century in a cave nearby, and visitors can view this fascinating collection through small openings in the rocks.

One of the most bizarre attractions of the Matobo Hills is the lizard feeding that takes place here at World’s View. A ranger, holding out a small piece of cooked maize meal, or sadza, calls out to the rocks. Then, from underneath various boulders, scores of rainbow-hued lizards appear and race across the rocks and even clamber over the ranger to get their share. This spectacle occurs three times a day and is not to be missed.