Khami Ruins in Zimbabwe is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. Evidence of habitation during the Stone Age has been found from this area. Khami developed in the middle of the 16th century after Great Zimbabwe was abandoned. Discovery of Chinese and European objects from the ruins indicate a commercial connection of Khami with China and Europe.
Khami Structures
Zimbabwe Khami Ruins is located in Bulawayo. During the 13 and 14th centuries Great Zimbabwe developed as an important commercial and political destination. Stone walls were erected between two mud huts in Great Zimbabwe. The same pattern was followed in Khami. Dagas, or clay huts were built on raised platforms made of stone and gravel. Wealthy people surrounded their huts with a stone wall. These ston walls on many occasions wer checkered with light and darker dolerite stones.
Historic Importance
Khami Ruins in Bulawayo at some point of time was the capital of Torwa State. Khami appears to have flourished during the 16th and 17th centuries after the decline of Great Zimbabwe. European and Chinese articles have been discovered from Khami Ruins. This indicates the existence of trade between Khami and Europe, and between Khami and China.
The Torwas were succeeded by the Rozvi Kings who settled in Naletale and Danamombe (near modern Gwero). The importance of Khami in Bulawayo thus declined.
Important Excavations
Some of the important excavations in the
Khami Ruins of Bulawayo comprise:
- Rock gong – A balancing granite boulder when struck makes a gong sound
- Tsoro Game Board – Played with small rounded river pebbles
- Vlei Platform - An ivory figurine of a man now on display at the Bulawayo Natural History Museum
- Circular hut – A small daga (clay hut) surrounded by a stone wall and a series of stone steps.
