Fabrics
As early as the 13th century, wild cotton was used to make clothes with looms. But this practice gradually disappeared when Arab and Portuguese merchants imported fabrics from India and Europe. The bark of certain trees, softened and then twisted into threads or ropes, made it possible to produce a slightly rough fabric. This material, once dyed, is used to make carpets, clothes, quivers or even bags in which cereals and provisions are stored, before being hung in trees, protected from animals. Finally, you can find in the chic stores of Harare beautiful cotton batiks, dyed and decorated with potato stamps.
Wicker baskets
There are baskets of all kinds and sizes. Made of rush, palm leaves, reeds, grass or sisal, they are used (at least originally) to store cereals or to sort grains. Others, more slender and deeper, are used by fishermen as landing nets. In some places (e.g. Matopos), specialized groups make basketry full time and also make rugs, headgear, etc.
Weapons and agricultural tools
Iron mining and smelting were introduced by the Bantu thousands of years ago. The Nyanja people (who live in the southwest of the country along the Save River) have always been considered to be the best metalworkers, blacksmiths and farriers in the country. Weapons and agricultural tools were made from iron that was heated several times in a furnace until it was pure and malleable enough to be shaped with a hammer. Along with knives and spears for warfare, hoes, used for working the land, were the most commonly made tools. The hoe(badza) was and still is the universal agricultural tool. It is an iron blade, usually curved and sharpened, attached to a wooden handle. Spears are short(assegais) for the Ndebele daggers, long and slender for those of the Shona. Shields are made from ox leather, treated to make it supple and resistant, then stretched over a wooden frame. The patterns on Ndebele shields indicate the regiment and rank of the owner. A variety of steel-bladed daggers are also produced. The wooden handle and scabbard are usually decorated. Faced with industrial competition, this form of handicraft has gradually disappeared: only a few items have survived, simpler, they are generally reserved for tourists.
Pottery
Pottery is an art that is thousands of years old. It is a skill passed down from generation to generation, from mother to daughter. The clay is dried, reduced to powder and then mixed with water. The pots, shaped with different tools, are made on a flat base. The surface is finally polished with a smooth pebble. After drying in the sun, the pots are baked in a hole covered with burnt grass, twigs or even cow dung. A few hours later, the pots are taken out and sealed with corn juice or cow dung. Finally they are decorated, often with geometric designs. The size and shape of these pots have been the same for hundreds of years. These vessels are used to store grain, collect water, ferment beer, cook meat or curdle milk.
Wooden objects
If the markets are full of all kinds of wooden sculptures, sometimes representing mammals, sometimes emblematic figures from Shona mythology, sometimes African busts, it is difficult to find carved wooden objects for everyday use in traditional society. The patriarch often has his own stool and headrest: a true family treasure, this object is passed down from father to son. You can also find beautifully carved walking sticks, which also have a religious significance. However, avoid buying too large objects in this material, as you will be contributing to the deforestation of Zimbabwe.
Musical instruments
Most communities use traditional instruments for their religious music and dances. Major celebrations feature a wide range of percussion instruments, such as the mbira or marimba, combined with more modern instruments such as the guitar or saxophone. The mbira is a type of piano with metal keys attached to a square wooden block. Some instruments have a single row of five to eight keys, others have several rows that can exceed fifty keys. The mbira is sometimes equipped with a gourd that serves as an amplifier. The marimba is a xylophone consisting of a wooden frame placed on a series of gourds used to amplify and make the resonance lower. The most common drum is cylindrical, narrow at the base and covered with a cow, zebra or elephant skin. There are also hand and foot drums. Finally, rattles are made with dried pods. Attached to the dancers' ankles, they allow them to give rhythm to their movements.
Precautions to take
We cannot advise you enough to avoid animal products: skins, horns, feathers, bones... Wood carvings can contribute to the deforestation of certain forests in the country. It is therefore important to be sure of the species used and its origin. Finally, think about the return flight: four wicker baskets, eight wooden statuettes, five stone sculptures, a batik, added to the three T-shirts bought on the first day will surely cause some weight problems when checking in your luggage! So before you succumb to the irresistible attraction of this or that object, make sure you can bring it back safely.
