Identity reconstruction of the Great Zimbabwe National Monument : an indigenous knowledge systems perspective
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Date
Authors
Rugwiji, T.T. (Temba)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Church History Society of Southern Africa and Unisa Press
Abstract
Various theories have been advanced on the identity of the people who built the Great Zimbabwe National Monument (GZNM). On the one hand, some ancient Mediterranean communities (Lebanese and Phoenicians) are associated with the construction of GZNM. On the other hand, some archaeological discoveries have claimed that the unique architecture could be assigned to King Solomon and Queen of Sheba, suggesting a religious/biblical basis regarding the construction of the structures. In some instances, those in favour of local indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) argue that the Shona people of the Rozvi dynasty in Zimbabwe were the architects of the magnificent structure. Despitevoluminous literature published to date, including more recent contributions, consensus has not been reached on the identity of the people who constructed GZNM. From an IKS perspective, this study attempts to reconstruct an identity formation surrounding GZNM by exploring some similarities in terms ofcultural customs between the Ancient Mediterranean World (AMW) and the Shona people of Zimbabwe. The aim of such an investigation is to search for some certainty about the identity of the people who built GZNM. The research findings will complement and contribute to the existing body of knowledge about GZNM.
Description
Keywords
Great Zimbabwe National Monument ( GZNM), Ancient Mediterranean World (AMW), South Africa (SA), Zimbabwe, Religio-cultural knowledge, Technology
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Rugwiji, T.T. 2019, 'Identity reconstruction of the Great Zimbabwe National Monument : an indigenous knowledge systems perspective', Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, vol. 45, no. 2, art. a4145, pp. 1-18.