Matobo Hills

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Matobo Hills from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• AmaDinga alahlelwa emaguswini

  Colonial displacement of the BaKalanga people from Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe, is remembered through their narratives as 'being dumped' ('ukhulahlwa') in 'wildernesses' ('emaguswini'). This study reveals how the BaKalanga viewed resettlement areas as inferior and mocked inhabitants there, while they themselves were derided as nomads ('Madinga') by other communities. By centralizing displaced voices, it challenges colonial perceptions of Matobo Hills as untamed land, offering a critical lens to understand struggles for ancestral land from the perspective of those forcibly evicted.

  Bvurire, S. (2023). AmaDinga alahlelwa emaguswini. Remembering Colonialism in Zimbabwe, 137–155. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003456629-9

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• The Intangible in World Heritage in Africa: Recognising the Invisible: Case Studies of the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage ZAMBIA, Pendjari National Park, BENIN and Matobo Hill World Heritage Zimbabwe

  This research reveals the critical role of intangible heritage in the sustainable management and strategic usage of World Heritage Properties, particularly in Africa. It demonstrates that integrating 'unspoken' or often-unrecognized intangible elements—such as traditional systems and values shared by local communities living near these sites—can 'complete' the narratives of these properties, enhancing their preservation. The study employs case studies from three African World Heritage Sites: Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls (Zambia), Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (Benin), and Matobo Hills (Zimbabwe). Through critical analysis, it underscores how community engagement and the recognition of intangible heritage contribute to more effective conservation strategies. The approach involves defining 'community' as local people sharing traditional systems and values, thereby linking tangible and intangible heritage for sustainable outcomes.

  Zulu, J., & Koudakossi, H. N. B. (2022). The Intangible in World Heritage in Africa: Recognising the Invisible: Case Studies of the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage ZAMBIA, Pendjari National Park, BENIN and Matobo Hill World Heritage Zimbabwe. Cultural Heritage Management in Africa, 189–203. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003199144-13

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• Understanding the Traditional and Contemporary Purpose of the Njelele Rainmaking Shrine through the Oral Testimonies of Local People in Matobo

  Local oral testimonies reveal the Njelele shrine's enduring spiritual significance, serving as a site for rainmaking rituals, societal forgiveness, and disease cures. The shrine, located in Zimbabwe's Matobo Hills (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), was also consulted during the liberation struggle and remains relevant to war veterans today. However, its mystical voice, once believed to emanate from the rocks, is said to have vanished due to disrespect for the area. This study highlights the diverse values attached to the site by different interest groups, providing insight into its traditional and contemporary purposes.

  Bhebhe, S. (2019). Understanding the Traditional and Contemporary Purpose of the Njelele Rainmaking Shrine through the Oral Testimonies of Local People in Matobo. Oral History Journal of South Africa, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6670/4015

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• Descola’s Model Of Religion and Nature Examined

  A re-evaluation of Philippe Descola’s ontological framework reveals that his concepts of incarnation and figuration, rather than the proposed fourfold scheme, better explain religious practices and human-environment relationships. This insight emerges from a detailed ethnographic study of the Mwali cult in Matobo Hills, Zimbabweconducted through prolonged participant observation and interviews. The research challenges Descola’s model by demonstrating that incarnation and figuration more effectively capture the nuanced ways in which religious forms shape human engagement with nature.

  Mtata, K. (2018). Descola’s Model Of Religion and Nature Examined. Modern Africa: Politics, History and Society, 5(2), 77–104. https://doi.org/10.26806/modafr.v5i2.197

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• The Rock Art of the Matobo Hills World Heritage Area, Zimbabwe: Management and Use, c 1800 to 2016

  A century of research and conservation efforts on the rock art sites of Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe, reveals significant challenges and opportunities for their preservation. The study highlights that despite extensive documentation and management by individuals, government agencies, and organizations, economic instability and land reform in Zimbabwe have negatively impacted the appreciation and protection of these heritage sites. The paper suggests potential improvements in management strategies to better safeguard this invaluable cultural resource for future generations.

  Hubbard, P. (2018). The Rock Art of the Matobo Hills World Heritage Area, Zimbabwe: Management and Use, c 1800 to 2016. Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites, 20(2), 76–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/13505033.2018.1462073

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• Canopy architecture and PAR absorption of Euphorbia cooperi in the Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

  Euphorbia cooperi, a tree-like succulent found in the Matobo Hills of Zimbabwe, exhibits a unique canopy architecture that optimizes photosynthetic surface area while minimizing water loss. This candelabra growth form allows the plant to expand its branch surface area as it matures, enhancing photosynthesis without significantly increasing transpirational water loss due to its heavily suberized trunk and concave branch morphology. Simulations suggest that while a square cross-sectional morphology maintains a stable surface-to-volume ratio with minimal photosynthetic benefit, deep concave flutes maximize surface area but may increase drought sensitivity. This study highlights the adaptive advantages of E. cooperi's structure in arid environments.

  Rundel, P. W., Esler, K. J., & Rundel, T. W. (2018). Canopy architecture and PAR absorption of Euphorbia cooperi in the Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe. South African Journal of Botany, 114, 260–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2017.11.023

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• Analysing land cover and land use change in the Matobo National Park and surroundings in Zimbabwe

  A study analyzing land cover and use changes in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe, reveals that while the park's composition remained stable from 1989 to 2014, surrounding areas experienced significant shifts. Forest coverage increased by approximately 7% outside the park, particularly on common lands, where agricultural areas decreased due to the Fast Track Land Reform of the early 2000s. The research used Landsat images and supervised classification with Random Forests, supplemented by recent observations and change detection, to identify four land cover classes: shrubland, forest, patchy vegetation, and agricultural areas. This approach demonstrates that combining recent data with change detection can effectively study the temporal dynamics of protected areas.

  Scharsich, V., Kupakwashe Mtata, Hauhs, M., Lange, H., & Boger, C. (2016). Analysing land cover and land use change in the Matobo National Park and surroundings in Zimbabwe. Unpublished. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1621.0809

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• Empty Promises and False Hopes

  Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe, has become a contested cultural landscape due to unfulfilled promises of equitable management and benefit-sharing for local communities. The study reveals that colonial-era laws, which sidelined indigenous practices, persist despite post-independence reforms, leaving Matobo's heritage governance unresolved. Traditional management methods, once enforced by local leaders, were replaced by Eurocentric policies during colonization, leading to resistance and eventually the liberation war (1972–1980). Though independence in 1980 offered hope for redress, three decades later, grievances remain unaddressed, deepening tensions. The research combines historical analysis with ethnographic data to expose the disconnect between heritage policy and community needs.

  Makuvaza, S., & Makuvaza, V. (2012). Empty Promises and False Hopes. Heritage & Society, 5(1), 9–34. https://doi.org/10.1179/hso.2012.5.1.9

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