The Zimbabwe Bird, also known as the Great Zimbabwe Bird or African Fish Eagle, is the national symbol of Zimbabwe and appears on the country’s flag and coat of arms. This majestic bird has a long and storied history that is intertwined with the history of the Zimbabwean nation. In this article, we will explore the origins and symbolism of the Zimbabwe Bird, its significance in Zimbabwean culture, and the efforts to protect this iconic species.
What is the Zimbabwe Bird?
The Zimbabwe Bird is a carved soapstone sculpture of an eagle or fish eagle found at archaeological sites in Zimbabwe. These sculptures date back approximately 900 years and were created by the ancestors of the Shona people who inhabited the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe during the Late Iron Age. The largest and most well-known Zimbabwe Bird sculpture stands on a monolith in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, an ancient city located in Masvingo province. This sculpture has a wingspan of 2.87 meters and likely had ceremonial significance for the city’s early inhabitants.
The soapstone raptors represent one of the national symbols of Zimbabwe and depict the African fish eagle, which is found near rivers, lakes, and wetlands across Sub-Saharan Africa. Also called the African sea eagle or the African hawk-eagle, this iconic bird of prey has distinctive brown and white plumage and a bright yellow beak. Fish eagles are most well known for their loud, melodious calls that echo over waterways. The cry of the African fish eagle is often described as evoking the spirit or soul of Africa.
Origins and Symbolism
The Zimbabwe Bird holds deep cultural and spiritual importance for the people of Zimbabwe. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Shona civilization centered around Great Zimbabwe during the 11th to 15th centuries CE. The ancient ruins feature many soapstone carvings of birds and other symbols that likely had ceremonial uses and reflected the values of Shona culture.
The eagles were carved by the Shona people to symbolize authority and guardianship. According to Shona tradition, the bird represents the protector of houses and villages and a divine link between the earth and the heavenlies. The raised wings of the Zimbabwe Bird suggest the protective nature of the eagle, which watches over the people. The soapstone material also carries significance, as the rocks are said to symbolize determination, resilience, and connection to ancestral spirits.
Beyond its mythological symbolism, some historians believe the eagle imagery represented the supreme chief or kingship and served as a royal totem of the Great Zimbabwe empire. The metropolis of Great Zimbabwe was a center of trading and political power in Southern Africa from the 11th to 15th centuries CE. During its peak in the 1200s, the city may have been home to up to 20,000 people. The Zimbabwe Bird sculptures underscored the authority and dominance of this ancient civilization.
Role in Zimbabwean Culture
Over the centuries, the Zimbabwe Bird gained increasing cultural significance among various groups inhabiting the region that would later become Zimbabwe. The soapstone sculpture artifacts reflect the artistry of the Shona people and demonstrate advanced stoneworking techniques.
During the colonial era, European settlers called the iconic bird sculptures the Zimbabwe Birds because of their association with the historic stone ruins of the city. In the early 20th century, authors and academics helped popularize the connection between the majestic bird carvings and the name Zimbabwe, which means “house of stone” in the Shona language. The term Zimbabwe Bird emerged as a unifying national symbol.
In 1924, the Zimbabwe Bird was first featured on postal stamps depicting the historic soapstone artifact. After Zimbabwe achieved independence in 1980, the new nation adopted the Zimbabwe Bird as the central image on its flag and coat of arms. The eagle emblem represents freedom and also acknowledges the importance of the early Shona civilization to the cultural identity of modern Zimbabwe.
Use on Zimbabwe’s Flag and Coat of Arms
The flag of Zimbabwe features the Zimbabwe Bird along with seven alternating stripes of green, gold, red, and black. The Zimbabwe coat of arms depicts the national symbol atop a green and gold shield with two support posts and an open book. The coat of arms also includes an axe, a hoe, and an open book representing minerals, agriculture, and education. Below the shield reads the country’s motto: “Unity, Freedom, Work.”
The specific Zimbabwe Bird image used on the flag and coat of arms is adapted from a soapstone sculpture discovered in the ancient city ruins during an archaeological excavation in the early 1900s. The artifact, known as the Zimbabwe Bird Monolith, was taken to South Africa after its excavation but was returned to Zimbabwe in 1981 after the country gained independence.
Conservation of the African Fish Eagle
The African fish eagle is classified as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, habitat loss, pollution, illegal trafficking, and various human activities have put pressure on fish eagle populations in certain regions. Zimbabwe and other African nations have made efforts to protect the iconic birds.
In 2013, Zimbabwe released 10 million 25-cent coins featuring the Zimbabwe Bird and other cultural symbols. Proceeds from the collector’s edition coins support conservation work and help fund reintroduction programs for breeding pairs of African fish eagles into safe habitats. Zimbabwe also established monuments and preserves to protect the wetlands and coastlines where fish eagles nest and feed.
Educational programs help raise awareness of the important ecological role that raptors such as the fish eagle play in African ecosystems. Beyond Zimbabwe, other initiatives across the continent aim to study fish eagle populations and restrict environmentally harmful activities such as pesticide use near critical riparian habitats.
Protecting the African fish eagle serves the dual purpose of conserving a species integral to Africa’s ecology and preserving Zimbabwe’s national heritage. The Zimbabwe Bird is an enduring symbol of freedom andguardianship for the people of Zimbabwe. Ensuring thriving fish eagle populations allows this iconic bird to continue its ancestral role as a spiritual messenger linking sky and earth.
Conclusion
The Zimbabwe Bird is one of Africa’s most culturally significant symbols, encapsulating the artistry of ancient civilizations and the independence of the modern Zimbabwean nation. The majestic raptor originated as a religious totem of the medieval Great Zimbabwe kingdom but evolved into a powerful emblem of national identity.
This enduring bird will continue to be treasured for its artistic beauty and symbolic resonance. Conservation efforts to protect African fish eagles recognize the value of Zimbabwe’s living national treasures. The story behind the Zimbabwe Bird highlights how dynamic cultural symbols can unify a society around shared values of freedom and heritage while also bridging the past and future.
