THE NYANGA CULTURE OF EASTERN

ZIMBABWE
Background
• Nyanga culture represents the most extensive
single prehistoric cultural tradition of eastern
Zimbabwe

• Culture represented across the different geographic

zones of Eastern Zimbabwe

• Eastern Highlands – Nyanga Highlands with the

highest mountain ranges in Zimbabwe with average
altitude over 1000m alt – highest mountain in
Zimbabwe - Nyanga (Inyangani)
• Defined by micro-climate characterised by cold
misty winters (occasionally wet) and cool wet
summers (the Scottish Highlands of Rhodesia!!)

• Lowlands with characteristic low veldt climate –

dry, low rainfall and hot summer temperatures –
Nyanga lowlands
Chronological framework:

• 16th – 19th Century

• Extends for over 100 km north to south, covering

over 6 000 sq km

• 2nd most elaborate stone building traditions of

Zimbabwe

• 2nd to Zimbabwe Tradition in spatial extent and

architectural complexity
• Chronologically and spatially partially
contemporary/overlaps with Zimbabwe culture

• One of the most extensive and major prehistoric

cultural landscape modifications in sub-Saharan
Africa

• In terms of occurrence, culture manifests itself as a

continuum in space resulting in a cultural landscape
NYANGA CULTURE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES
Stone terraces

• Constructed on hillsides and relatively

flat/undulating plains
• Rough dry stone wall constructions of varying height
and width
• Space in between walls varies between 2 – 10
meters to form terraces of varying length
• Now agreed to represent a specialized agricultural
system involving soil retention and water
control/irrigation
• Parallels to Engaruka (Tanzania & Marakwet (Kenya)
Ziwa National Monument
Pit structures Ziwa site
Hilltop forts

• Fortified enclosures located on prominent hilltops

with wide command of surrounding landscape
• Rough circular dry stone walled structures of
varying diameter with lintelled entrances and loop-
holes (similar to Refuge Tradition loop-holed stone
structures
• Clear indication of unsettled conditions in the
history of the area
Nyangwe Fort
Nyangwe Fort
Pit structures

• One of the most intriguing architectural elements of

the Nyanga culture
• Stone lined pits of varying diameter with passages
leading into them
• Interpreted as “slave pits” by early European
observers
• Now agreed to have been livestock facilities (small
stock/dwarf cattle)
• Integral part of Nyanga culture homestead
(Livestock security)
Pit structures
Enclosures & track ways

• Rough dry stone enclosures of varying height, size &

shape – usually circular but also other shapes
(rectangular)
• Complete or incomplete
• Some residential units/houses
• Complexes of track ways linked enclosures
• Indicated as livestock track ways to control
movement within complex settlements
• Largest examples at Ziwa & Nyahokwe

• Ziwa one of the largest human made structures

in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of spatial extent

• Under NMMZ consideration for nomination to

World Heritage Committee as WHS
Research history

• Although it has been subjected to archaeological

and historical research for many years (since early
20th C), important aspects of the culture remain
obscure
• The most comprehensive archaeological research in
recent times is Soper (2002)
• Ongoing research on cultural identity of Eastern
Zimbabwe stone buildings is Kapumha (2013)
• Most comprehensive historical research is various
works of Beach eg 1996
Origins and Cultural identity

• Origins in prehistoric times unclear

• Origins therefore debated
• Historically connected to Saunyama dynasty
• Also connected to Barwe (Sena) people
• Some of the rough stone structures in Eastern
Zimbabwe within the Nyanga culture area
traditionally assigned to the 19th C. Refuge
Tradition
• Some linked to the 19th C. Mfecane Gaza – Nguni
state (Soshangane – Gungunyana)
• Also linked to Ndau people (Kapumha 2013,
2014)
Nyanga Tradition economic organization

• Extensive agriculture
• Mining (iron/some gold)
• External trade (exotic beads/ivory)
Political/Social organization

• Despite extent and architectural complexity,

Nyanga culture interpreted as representing fairly
simple socio-political organization probably at
chiefdom level
• Ziwa/Nyahokwe reflect an appreciable level of
centralized organization
• Spatial organization suggestive of intra-site and
inter-site hierarchy reflecting socio-political
differentiation among people
• Indications of social stratification
• Culture/Tradition declined and collapsed late
19th C
• Elements of the culture have persisted into
modern times
• Seen today by way of continued agric terracing,
irrigation furrows and use of ancient terraces in
many parts of Eastern Zimbabwe