Zimbabwe
Visit Ruins Of Lost Kingdoms
Location:
Zimbabwe is located in central Africa. It is landlocked between South Africa and Zambia. It is also between two rivers: Zambezi and Limpopo.
Weather and Climate:
Zimbabwe is hot and dry in April through October. It can reach temperatures up to 90 degrees F with humidity increasing. The rainy season is during November through March. The average yearly rainfall is about 25-35 inches. Zimbabwe is in the tropics and moderated by the altitude. Who doesn't want to visit someplace in the tropics.
2 Physical Characteristics:
- When visiting Zimbabwe you need to see the Victoria Falls. It is the largest curtain of falling water in the world. It is very hypnotizing and beautiful.
- Another most see site is the Mana Pools National Park. It is located on the banks of Zambezi River. You most see the grand cliffs overhanging the river and the view they provide.
How to fit in:
Languages
- There are many types of languages in Zimbabwe. Shona is the most widely spoken in this country. The second most widely spoken language is Ndebel. English is spoken but it is used more for official business. There are also thirteen other minority languages.
4 Folkways
- The families are usually headed by males and they possible have more than one wife.
- The Zimbabweans value their art, poetry, and dance. Who doesn't love to dance. It's a good experience to see how they dance!
- They want their children to have education. It's good to know that all the children have a least three years of education and they are better educated than the adults sometimes. They want their children to get a good job and be able to support their families.
- The Zimbabweans wear their traditional clothes on ceremonial days and on state occasions.
Taboos
- When visiting Zimbabwe you should not eat food that are considered out of season. Another taboo is eating a food that is in your family name. Also before dating someone who lives there, you should get to know the family before even asking for your partners hand otherwise it is considered bad luck for your relationship.
Values
- When marrying someone, you can now consider yourself an adult.
- Zimbabweans value their beautiful art. They tend to make stone sculptures and wood carvings. You have to see their art and sculptures!
Digging Deeper Into Culture:
2 subcultures are the Shona who make up about 60 percent of the population and the Ndebele who ranks the second. There are also many other ethnic groups.
Culture Landscape:
- The Zimbabweans eat a lot of sadza which is thickened porridge and cooked widely around the continent. When you visit, you most eat the cornmeal that is the staple food of this country.
- Soccer is the most popular sport in Zimbabwe along with rugby and cricket. They absolutely love this sport and many others. Hockey is also played here but whites are the majority who play it. Though who doesn't love a good game of soccer?
Evidence of Culture Diffusion:
- The Zimbabweans wear western- style clothing instead of the traditional clothes they used to wear.
- Many traditional rites of passage are being replaced by western ones. For example there are now Christian baptisms and birthday parties. These things were not common until some religions started being worshiped here.
Evidence of Culture Change:
- Women were not allowed to have a job or have an education. All they did was stay at home and attend to their children or farm. Now they are able to work outside their home, usually in the cities though they are still discriminated against, and get education.
- Zimbabweans are influenced a lot by US and Great Britain movies, tv programs, videotapes, etc. Though most of the people influenced are the younger generations.
Citations:
- Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
- "All About Longitude, Latitude, Adoption Agencies, Travel, Tourist Places Sphereinfo.com." All About Longitude, Latitude, Adoption Agencies, Travel, Tourist Places Sphereinfo.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
- "Countries and Their Cultures." Countries and Their Cultures. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015
Mana Pools National Park
It is home to many animals such as hippos, elephants, and cheetahs.
Sadza
Sadza is the most common meal eaten in Zimbabwe. It is like a very thick porridge often served with potatoes and some meat.
Traditional Dress
Zimbabweans wear their traditional dress when there is a special state occasion or for ceremonies.