Great Zimbabwe Monuments

Great Zimbabwe, an ancient stone city of between 10,000 to 20,000 people, is the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa.  It's origins have long been debated, but the best evidence is that it is of African Bantu origins, influenced by trade with Swahili and Portugese traders.  Great Zimbabwe was probably built during the 13th to 14th centuries.

Here is a brief description of the photos:

The Great Enclosure, with its distinctive conical tower, is one of the most famous sites.  My guide tells me the chief had 20+ wives, and his first wife lived in this part of the enclosure.  The king's elder sister (who lived up on the hill complex) used to arbitrate in the squabbles between the wives!

The Khami ruins, about 250 kms from Great Zimbabwe (just outside modern Bulawayo) were established after the collapse of Great Zimbabwe.  My hair cut was thanks to an impromptu, totally unplanned visit to a local hair dresser who gave me a shave and a hair cut for $ZIM40.  I also learnt how to use another feature of my digicam here - the timelapse, so I could get in the photo.