THE Great Zimbabwe monument, venue for the recently held 21st February Movement celebrations, is an important part of our national identity because the country is named after the ancient city.
Zimbabwe is translated as ‘big houses of stone’.
The method of construction is unique in African architecture and although there are examples of similar works elsewhere, none are as distinguished and imposing as the Great Zimbabwe.
It is a construction which emulates that of the prehistoric people and is unquestionably of Bantu origin.
The divine soapstone figurines, the Zimbabwe Birds, found within the ruins are testimony to the use of the site as place of worship spanning from the ancient past to the present day.
The site extends over 800 hectares and can be divided into three main architectural zones.
The Hill Complex is generally considered a royal site and the Valley Ruins are a series of living spaces.
But most impressive is the Great Enclosure, a spectacular circular monument made of cut granite blocks that were entirely built in curves.
Its outer wall extends some 250 metres with a maximum height of 11 metres.
In fact, it is documented that Great Zimbabwe is the largest of Southern Africa’s 600 ruins?
It consists of 12 clusters of buildings, spread over three square miles.
Its outer walls were made from 100 000 tonnes of granite bricks and in the 14th Century, the city housed about 18 000 people, comparable in size to that of London of the same period
Religion played a very important role in the rise, development and expansion of Great Zimbabwe as a political centre.
Religion was a unifying force in the state and the rulers were believed to be divine beings with divine powers.
At Great Zimbabwe, this point is clearly illustrated by the location of the (sacred) Great Enclosure on the Hill Complex, which is also the location of the king’s residence.
The king surrounded himself with diviners, traditional doctors and also patronised clan and territorial spirit mediums who lent spiritual legitimacy to the state.
The people believed in a supreme God called Mwari who had powers over rainmaking, agricultural fertility, illness and every facet of life.
This communication with God was through a spirit medium, which in most cases was a chosen person.
Great Zimbabwe’s generally wet microclimate and its surroundings are attributed to the powers of Mwari.
It is important to note that Great Zimbabwe continued to be an important religious centre after its collapse in the 15th Century.
In the 18th-19th Centuries, religious performances, including rainmaking ceremonies, were carried out there.
Rainmakers have always thronged the place, a practice that has survived to date.
To most Zimbabweans, Great Zimbabwe is a reminder of the tremendous achievements of their forbears and as such, a rich source of inspiration.
For this reason, it was proclaimed a national monument in 1937.
And the merrymakers who converged at the sacred shrine over the weekend were blessed with rains that quenched the land which had been dry for nearly two months.
The gods of the land smiled at the thousands who had converged in the same spirit to celebrate the life of a revered icon, President Robert Mugabe who turned 92.
ZANU PF’s symbol is the Great Zimbabwe monument.
The party’s motto reads ‘Unity, Peace and Development’ which was the driving force during the ancient times and has seen the monument spanning close to a thousand years.
Addressing the people who thronged Great Zimbabwe from all walks of life, President Mugabe, said the venue was relevant as it was a reflection of the unity that the constructors had.
“I want to thank the Youth League of the Party for this event which is an event to show respect not only to me, but to all the elders, both men and women, coming from the Youth League,” he said.
“We have heard all they said, led by Cde Pupurai Togarepi, and the pledge of respect while we are at Great Zimbabwe, this was the pillar of the house of Munhumutapa, and this place has given us a new life.
“The unity they had ensured that the spread of their rule all over across the Limpopo even if you go to Mapungubwe or Khami ruins, this could never have been built by a people who were not united.
“There was a way of life, a life we have been given.
“Tauya kuno kuZunde.
“Nzvimbo yakakosha, kusarudza kwakaita vanaTogarepi kuti tigovapano handifungi kuti kwaive kwekuti kunonzi Great Zimbabwe saka handei asi kusarudza kwaive nekufunga kwakadzama.
“It was a choice to have the ancestral spirits inspire us to work for the people.
“Ko takazviti Zimbabwe nekuda kwenzvimbo ino.”
President Mugabe condemned factionalism and reiterated that the party would remain very strong and encouraged people to respect each other’s differences.
“Let us recognise that people may differ, although we may have different affinities, there is room in our country for all of us and that must be recognised, that is the right of self-determination, we work together, we allow democracy to have its role in society and accept the rule of law and the fact that we have a Constitution,” he said.
“The youths have to be well disciplined, respectful.
“We the elders should be straightforward also because we will be behind, we don’t want that, powers and positions are not won by attacking each other, there is only one way to any positions in the party, it is the way of the people, you must be chosen by the people.”
The 21st February Movement celebrations began in 1986, by the youth, to celebrate the life of President Robert Mugabe.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme ‘Youth celebrating an African Icon through Enhanced Productivity.’