Myths, Gender, Birds, Beads: a Reading of Iron Age Hill Sites in Interior Southern Africa

Research reveals homologous origin myths shared by Iron Age societies across southern Africa, particularly concerning the Tsodilo Hills in Botswana, Polombwe hill in Zambia, and Kaphiri-Ntiwa hill in Malawi. These myths describe a primal pair's journey through liminal states, structuring landscapes and legitimizing social hierarchies while resolving tensions between authority, power, lineage, and land rights. The study highlights the symbolic significance of sumptuary goods like glass beads and metonymic signifiers such as birds within these societies. Archaeological analysis of Nqoma (Tsodilo Hills) contrasts with other sites like Bosutswe and Mapungubwe, linking hilltops to paranormal power and human authority, paralleling the Shona Mwari myth from Great Zimbabwe.

Wilmsen, E. N. (2014). MYTHS, GENDER, BIRDS, BEADS: A READING OF IRON AGE HILL SITES IN INTERIOR SOUTHERN AFRICA. Africa, 84(3), 398–423. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0001972014000370