Khami Ruins
Bulawayo
Khami Ruins is an extensive archaeological site located 22 kilometers west of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It served as the capital of the Kingdom of Butua under the Torwa dynasty from around 1450 to 1683. The site features an innovative architectural style that evolved from Great Zimbabwe, with terraced platforms and retaining walls built without mortar using locally quarried granite. These terraces were decorated with intricate patterns such as checkerboard, herringbone, and cord designs, reflecting the high status of the royal inhabitants. The Hill Complex, situated on higher ground, was the royal enclosure and contained well-planned buildings and courtyards, while commoners lived in the valley below. Khami was a center of wealth, power, and regional trade, controlling areas in southwestern Zimbabwe, northeastern Botswana, and northern South Africa. After the Torwa dynasty, the site was conquered by the Rozvi and later displaced by Ndebele raiders in the 19th century. Today, Khami is recognized as a national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with ongoing conservation efforts to preserve its remarkable stone walls and terraces. A small museum on site provides visitors with background information about the site's history and significance.
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Astuce: Visitors are advised to visit Khami Ruins during the dry season for easier access and to avoid the malaria risk associated with the riverine environment. Purchasing tickets in advance or contacting the site via the official phone number can help ensure entry. Guided tours are recommended to fully appreciate the site's complex architecture and history. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, or groups. Comfortable walking shoes and sun protection are essential due to the extensive outdoor areas and hot climate.
Faits intéressants
- •Khami's stone walls are gravity retaining walls built without mortar, leaning inward to prevent collapse.
- •The terraces at Khami were decorated with elaborate patterns including checkerboard, herringbone, and cord designs.
- •Over 60% of quarried stone at Khami was unsuitable for building, requiring careful selection and shaping.
- •The Hill Complex was occupied by the king and featured terraces built with massive foundation blocks requiring multiple people to lift.
- •Khami was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 due to its cultural and historical significance.
- •The site includes a Christian cross believed to have been placed by a contemporary missionary, indicating early European contact.
Histoire
Khami was established around 1450 as the capital of the Torwa dynasty following the decline of Great Zimbabwe.
It flourished for approximately two centuries, becoming a powerful kingdom controlling a large region in southern Africa.
Around 1683, the Rozvi people conquered Khami but continued to develop the site rather than dismantle it.
In the 1830s, Nguni-speaking Ndebele raiders displaced the Rozvi, leading to Khami's abandonment.
Over time, the art of dry stonewalling was lost, and the site fell into decay until modern conservation efforts began in the early 2000s.
Guide du lieu
Hill Complex15th-17th century
The royal enclosure situated on higher ground, consisting of terraces with finely dressed stone walls decorated in checkerboard, herringbone, and cord patterns. This area housed the king and royal family, featuring well-planned buildings and courtyards.
Retaining Walls and Terraces15th-17th century
Extensive dry stone retaining walls built without mortar, supporting artificial platforms where houses and cattle kraals were constructed. These walls are notable for their decorative stone patterns and innovative engineering to cope with local stone quality.
Valley Area
The lower valley below the Hill Complex where commoners lived in clay huts and managed cattle kraals. This area contrasts with the elevated royal enclosure above.
Contact
Téléphone: (029) 2250045