2219 ZIMBABWE - Images of the country

Located in southern Africa, between South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique, Zimbabwe is a landlocked country consisting mainly of a central plateau with altitudes between 1,000 and 1,600 m. Only about 20% of the country consists of low-lying areas. Victoria Falls, one of the world's biggest and most spectacular waterfalls (recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO - about which I wrote here), is located in the country's extreme northwest and is part of the Zambezi River.

1402 ZIMBABWE - Wooden Carvings

Zimbabwe is an ethnically diverse country, but the Shona, the Bantu people considered the oldest in the region (are believed to be the legendary guardians of King Solomon's mines) holds an overwhelming majority of 70%. They are known as skilful and creative sculptors, Zimbabwe being considered the center for stone sculpture in Africa. Besides stone, they also use wood, mainly Ebony, African Teak, and Mukwa. The sculptures depicted in the postcard seem to be made of Mukwa, which is only found in Tanzania, Zambia,  Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It has variable colors such as a pale uniform brown, chocolate brown, brick red or purplish brown and golden brown. The two men depicted in sculptures wear sumptuous headdresses and play drums, probably a ngoma (the one supported on earth), and a calabash (the one hemispherical).