Z
Culture
Talented and friendly people make each visit special imbabwe is about much more
long promoted fine art, while the
community events with spectators
national parks, its waterfalls and
District has produced many of the
traditional dances. Music is typically
than the natural beauty of its
its wildlife. This is also the homeland
of a cultured and hospitable people. The cultural diversity of Zimbabwe – from music and dance to festivals and food – is a major draw
for tourists. But what many visitors
remember most about Zimbabweans is their wonderful hospitality. It is second nature for them to greet
every traveller with a broad smile
of welcome and with no thought of
Tengenenge Art Village in Guruve
nation’s most famous sculptors which are internationally acclaimed and
exhibited. Those works fetch thou-
sands of dollars on the international market, particularly in Europe and
the United States. Zimbabweans are
Language
in Ndebele a year later. Since that
country’s other main languages are versions of Bantu. The most widely spoken are Shona and Ndebele.
Art Artists are held in high regard in
course, the human voice.
the Zimbabwean way of life, it’s well worth trying the local cuisine. Most
dishes consist of a starchy element
was published in 1956 and the first
time, and especially after independ-
ence, there has been a burgeoning of literature. Major themes are folklore, myths and legends. Internationally
acclaimed novelists include Shimmer Chinyodya, Chenjerai Hove and Doris Lessing. An international book fair is held each August in Harare.
Dance
together with meat or stewed
vegetables. Staple foods such as
bota (a porridge) and sadza (a thick porridge) are popular with local
people and are made by mixing maize with water to produce a paste that varies in thickness. Bota is eaten at breakfast, while sadza is cooked for longer than bota and is
normally eaten for lunch or dinner. Both can be flavoured with butter or peanut butter. On
Zimbabwe, which has many training
Dance is a key part of Zimbabwean
The National Gallery in Harare has
spiritual ceremonies as well as in
centres in the capital and elsewhere.
rattle), the ngoma (drum) and, of
For any visitor looking to experience
including the famous Rhodesian teak.
The first novel in the Shona language
cities and less so in rural areas. The
hosho (rattle), the magavhu (leg
hardwood trees in Matabeleland,
the friendliest countries in Africa.
is English. It is spoken primarily in the
piano (a plucked instrument), the
Food
not least because of the range of
Literature
The official language of Zimbabwe
provided by the mbira or thumb
also renowned for their wood carving,
personal gain. No wonder so many
visitors describe Zimbabwe as one of
often invited to join in many of the
culture. It features in religious and
celebration days, the food
of choice is roast or stewed
meat, typically beef or goat, accompanied by rice.
Festivals and events • Africa Day celebrations • Bulawayo Music Festival • Chibuku Neshamwari • Chimanimani Arts Festival • Harare International Carnival
• Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) • Harare International Food Festival • Harare Jazz Festival • Independence Day festivities • Intwasa Arts Festival
• Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival • Lion Lager Summer Beer Festival • Midlands Arts and Cultural Festival (MACfest) • Neverland Zimbabwe • Nyaminyami Festival
• Shoko Festival • Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival • Traditional and Organic Food Festival • Vic Falls Carnival • Zimbabwe Food and Culture Festival
• Zimbabwe International Book Fair • Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) • Zimbabwean Music Festival
THIS IS ZIMBABWE 2021–22
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