Not art, but culture, a photo from Masvingo, East

Photographer's Note

This is not a painting or a sculpture or any other kind of art in the usual sense, it is just a close look at a wall at Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO world heritage from which the former Rhodesia took its present name at independence in 1980.

Great Zimbabwe is one of Zimbabwe's five UNESCO world heritage sites. Among the others I have only seen Victoria Falls.

To describe Great Zimbabwe I might as well quote directly from the UNESCO web site:

"The Great Zimbabwe ruins with its massive curving walls, constructed from millions of granite blocks fitted together without mortar, hosts the largest stone structures south of the pyramids.

Great Zimbabwe, which means "houses of stone", is an ancient city situated 30 kilometers from Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Awe inspiring, majestic and timeless, these structures were built by indigenous African people between AD 1250 and AD 1450. At the height of its power, Great Zimbabwe had over 18,000 inhabitants. Great Zimbabwe was a main trading center and associated with gold trading. Fragments of Persian and Chinese pottery have also been found at this ancient site.

The two main enclosures are the Hill Complex, on the steep-sided granite hill and the land below this hill where the Valley Enclosures and the Great Enclosure are situated. The stone walls, up to six meters thick and twelve meters high, are built of granite blocks without the use of mortar".

I don't remember in which part of the site I took this photo in 1984. It may have been in the Hill Complex, where I am also fairly sure that the WS photo was taken.

More than ten years ago I posted a photo and a WS from the relatively better known Great Enclosure.

The weather was not very good on the day of my visit. It was very cloudy and fairly dark, which affected my photos and subsequently the scans. But I would never have wanted to be without the experience of seeing this magical place. Because of the uncharming weather I was virtually alone, having the entire place almost for myself, sharing it only with a large number of birds and baboons. No busloads of tourists, no guides carrying flags � what a wonderful day!

Here is a larger version.

As usual these photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides.

pajaran, COSTANTINO, ikeharel, Fis2, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, jhm, papagolf21, annjackman, PiotrF, macjake, jemaflor, kasianowak, Royaldevon, alvaraalto, gervaso, bukitgolfb301, clic, jean113, ChrisJ, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (102632) 2019-07-26 0:41

Pozdrav.
Interesantan i lep pogled , dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobar kontrast, lepe boje.
Lep zid od cigle i detalji.
Sta je umetnost a sta kultura, gde je granica.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja.

COSTANTINO (104159) 2019-07-26 1:20

hello dear Gert and have a nice time
and a happy new day and new week
impressive capture explaining to us
that this is not a painting or a sculpture
or any other kind of art in the usual
scene!!!!!!!!!!
thanks for your useful notes
regards
Costantino

Nicou (193806) 2019-07-26 1:28

Hello

quelle vue de ce mur de pierre quelle forme comme des vagues superbe et ces tons et couleurs quel effet ces pierre c'est vraiment de l'art superbe
Bravo et amiti�
Nciou

Fis2 (155625) 2019-07-26 2:15

Witaj Gert!
A very interesting fragment of wall.
Good framing and composition.
Colors are impressive.
I like it, WS too.
Nice ady.
Krzysztof

ikeharel (105901) 2019-07-26 2:24

Hello Gert,
Teeth of time gave this bricks wall a unique multi-colors texture.
The WS post enable to comprehend the wall in its surrounding.
Well scanned, as always.
Regards,
Ike

PaulVDV (54853) 2019-07-26 2:36

Hello Gert,
The rather dark wall has been given a lot of extra colours by the weathering by wind and rain.
There also seems to be a strong crack.
Obviously, these walls are already many centuries old.
In the WS a more classic view of Great Zimbabwe.
Is there also a discussion there about whether the current Zimbabweans are indeed the descendants of Great Zimbabwe? I'm thinking of the stupid discussions about the name for (North-)Macedonia.
Best regards, Paul

lousat (129957) 2019-07-26 4:08

Hi Gert.I never thought I could find evidence from the past so old in Zimbabwe. Your post is really useful, the photos are a bit dark because of the bad light but enough to understand the state of preservation and appreciate the colorful work of time on the tiles. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Silvio1953 (205719) 2019-07-26 4:18

Ciao Gert, interesting view of fantastic old wall, like an abstract artwork, excellent clarity, beautiful graphic and fine details, very well done, my friend, have a good weekend ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (103537) 2019-07-26 4:30

Hi Gert,

The tight frame is putting the wall in evidence. The point of view is showing the details of the old curve wall. The light is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (203003) 2019-07-26 5:47

Hello Gert,

This is real art work to made a wall on this way.
Pleasant picture of you.
Also a nice detailed image.
An excellent composition and perfect presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

papagolf21 (152599) 2019-07-26 6:17

Bonjour, cher Gert,
J'ai beaucoup appr嶰i� la note d'accompagnement qui apprend beaucoup sur l'origine de ce pays. Certains 幨幦ents sont 嶮ifiants et int廨essants.
Je suis surpris par l'appareil dispos� � joints vifs, certaines briques sont dispos嶪s en boutisse et d'autres en panneresse, ce qui est curieux quant � la r廧artition des masses.
Quoi qu'il en soit, l'ensemble s'apparente � une oeuvre d'art avec cet aspect polychrome du meilleur effet.
Tr鋊 bonne journ嶪.
Amiti廥.
Philippe

rychem (72179) 2019-07-26 7:47

Impressive achievement of the African people, such mighty walls without mortar, I read several books about this region. Your picture well illustrates these buildings,
best regards Ryszard

Tue (82232) 2019-07-26 8:08

Hej Gert,
Tak for din lykke鷢skning i g緳! Det ser ud til at v熳e kunst, man kunne godt have fundet p� at vise det p� et museum. De mange farver er meget attraktive, is熳 de r鷣lige dele blandt det bl�. Godt fanget i en god komposition.
Lars

annjackman (23019) 2019-07-26 10:09

Hello Gert,
When I saw the TN I wondered what this could be. You excellent explanation is most interesting and the WS informative. An usual but brilliant post - I have something new!
Kind Regards, Ann

jmdias (102900) 2019-07-26 10:41

gert

I liked a lot the patterns and textures created by the stone blocks well arranged and the lichens painting the rocks. a compo with a nice touch of abstract art.

take care

jorge

Miguel82 (47106) 2019-07-26 11:46

Gert, it s amazing to see the stones arranged without mortar. Good idea to highlight these ruins belonging to an ancient African civilization who lived in Zimbabwe centuries ago. This archeological treasure is protected nowadays and classified as a Unesco site.

kasianowak (15818) 2019-07-26 12:30

Hi Gert
I've read about Great Zimbabwe fairly recently an it feels really good to be able to relate that to a real travel experience described by someone I know. And it sounds like a great experience, having a place like this almost to yourself must have been amazing.
I have to disagree with the title though - your photo IS art, a great example of almost abstract painting (since photography means painting with light). :-)
Have a nice weekend
Kasia

mesutilgim (0) 2019-07-26 12:51

Hello dear Gert,
Only a good photographers eye can notice this simple but interesting wall.
Almost a modern art object.
And you've noticed and captured it.
Many interesting notes makes your entry a perfect TE job.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

PiotrF (52330) 2019-07-26 14:53

Hello Gert,
An interesting pictures with "houses of stone".
Thank you for the note about the Great Zimbabwe.
Very well captured with good sharpness and nice colours.
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

macjake (96157) 2019-07-26 17:59

Hi Gert
Ok, I hope i'm not sounding stupid or ignorant, but I prefer to be honest - I don't know about this famous old wall of stone, yet when I read your note I feel as if I SHOULD know about it.
So there is an entire village using these old stones. In one of the secondary photos you show an open doorway, so its a house? or just a walkway from point A to point B? I'm just trying to understand WHAT we're looking at other than it being stone. Again, sorry for my ignorance on this one.
Interesting post for sure. cheers
Craig

jemaflor (135424) 2019-07-26 23:22

Hi Gert,
Interesting photo about this historic tower, original presentation and interesting note Good sharpness and colors for these stones, tfs.

ifege (32239) 2019-07-27 0:01

Hi Gert
A great one from this ancient city. I love all the colours that you captured.
cheers
Ian

Ilonka1974 (9365) 2019-07-27 12:26

hI Gert,
Excellent shot, beautiful captured, love the details and sharpness here.
Best regards
Janusz

photographer_sg (6059) 2019-07-27 22:56

Hello Gert
The stone wall with so many touches of colour makes a lovely abstract when framed this way.The WS picture is wonderful too again with many beautiful shades.
Best Regards
Satya

Royaldevon (75378) 2019-07-28 5:54

Hello Gert,

You have included a really interesting and informative note to accompany your photographs which I found fascinating, having never heard of Great Zimbabwe before. When you look back on history, you wonder how counties could be so arrogant as to claim discoveries of places that had never been lost! Rhodesia, I believe was named after Cecil Rhodes, and there have been initiatives in Oxford to have his statue removed.
'Oriel College has said it will not remove the controversial statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oxford University despite a campaign by students who believe the British imperialist𠏋 legacy should not be celebrated'.

I am glad you included the w/s which helped to put your main photograph in context but, like you, I would have been very impressed by such skilful builders and their legacy.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

emka (152194) 2019-07-28 7:35

Hello again, There was no one passing by?
The walls covered with colourful kinds of lichens look like modern art. Of course, I have heard about Great Zimbabwe and I would love to visit it - the most famous old stone architecture in Africa besides Djenne (from mud).
The big walls without mortar, like in Inka buildings. And in Russia
wooden constructions without nails. People knew ho to build.
Unfortunately, I saw only waterfalls. Grazyna traveled alone around Zimbabwe a few years ago and was also in Great Zimbabwe. For her, travelling in Africa is easy but she is afraid of South America. Quite contrary to me.
have a nice evening

MAlgo

alvaraalto (42276) 2019-07-28 7:54

Hello Gert,
A photo that raises the question of when something can be considered art.
As far as I'm concerned, you can count this wall as art, although no artist is known.
Otherwise your beautiful presentation is art.
Have a nice day. Groet Rob

gervaso (28177) 2019-07-28 13:59

Hello, Gert!

I've been reading something about African history lately, especially since the independence of most of the countries in the 60s, but I think I've never read anything about this place. You captured the interesting details of this "house of stones" with very good colors, texture and sharpness! Wonderful job, and very interesting note about it! Well done!

bukitgolfb301 (53894) 2019-07-28 17:04

Hi dear Gert

Yes I know this regacy in Zimbabwe, and my friend who stastined there for work said that this place is so worth to visit. This might be not intentional art but real and unconsious art objcet, I think. You di visit there 35 years ago! Wow you are gerat traveler and photographer indeed!

All the best and have a good day! Takero

jean113 (22047) 2019-07-29 13:43

Hello Gert, I like this very much! Each stone is a mini work of art with beautiful colours and textures.
How clever of you to take this close up and fill the frame in this way.
Very interesting notes, a place that until today I was totally unaware of.
Thanks for sharing, regards Jean.

clic (23798) 2019-07-29 15:26

Hallo Gert Lot of sweaty labor permeates this sturdy wall built by the indigenous Africans who, in the era of the ADs, did their best to square these most-equal stone blocks, piled them accordingly to some small differences. Of course the quality of such dressed masonry is not equal to the Kheops' building material! Thanks for showing this much interesting piece of archaeology. I consulted Wikipedia for a brainier comment to a columnist!!! Halsningar

ChrisJ (160008) 2019-07-31 7:58

Hej Gert

Effective tight framing with absolutely no wasted space. This is the first I have heard of this medieval African city. Amazing that this wall still stands despite the lack of mortar or cement. Tfs!

carlo62 (81265) 2019-08-01 1:58

Ciao Gert
le tue foto e le tue note sono sempre istruttive e interessanti.
Ho letto con piacere la nota e osservato attentamente le due foto, � stato un piacere.
Saluti
Carlo

GyurMaster (21349) 2019-08-02 0:03

Dear Gert,

Its art, but an art created by mother nature by the lichen on the man-made wall. Its a simple, but very spectacular photo in this sense. The WS helps us to see it in a wider perspective. Sadly enough, the bad weather hindered you in making nothing special with some locals or tourists.

Best Wishes,
Gy

mcmtanyel (58830) 2019-08-12 19:05

Hello Gert,
I like the colors and the textures. It's a very nice "almost" abstract. 👍🏻👍🏻
Regards,
MT