Stop 1: OLD BULAWAYO
I'm doing a "Heritage Tour" this week. I'll be visiting historical sites around Plumtree and Bulawayo to learn more about our history.
Today, I spent hours with Mr Mthonzima, the custodian of OLD BULAWAYO - the original home of King Lobengula.
I'm doing a "Heritage Tour" this week. I'll be visiting historical sites around Plumtree and Bulawayo to learn more about our history.
Today, I spent hours with Mr Mthonzima, the custodian of OLD BULAWAYO - the original home of King Lobengula.
Old Bulawayo, or more correctly, Ko Bulawayo is a historical site situated less than 20 km from the city of Bulawayo.
Old Bulawayo was established by King Lobengula as his capital in 1870 after the death of his father King Mzilikazi in 1868.
Old Bulawayo was established by King Lobengula as his capital in 1870 after the death of his father King Mzilikazi in 1868.
11 years later, King Lobengula resettled to present day Bulawayo - where there's the State House in Sauerstown.
The old capital (Present day Old Bulawayo) was burnt to the ground.
I'll detail everything on separate threads 😁
The old capital (Present day Old Bulawayo) was burnt to the ground.
I'll detail everything on separate threads 😁
1990: Old Bulawayo established as a tourist site.
1998: Reconstructed as a theme park with structures such as a wagonshed, King Lobengula’s palace, 8 huts, cattle kraal & an interpretive Centre.
2010: Everything burnt to the ground by a veld fire. Only the Centre survived.
1998: Reconstructed as a theme park with structures such as a wagonshed, King Lobengula’s palace, 8 huts, cattle kraal & an interpretive Centre.
2010: Everything burnt to the ground by a veld fire. Only the Centre survived.
We also visited the INDABA TREE where Lobengula held court (IDALE) between 1870 & 1880. The Indaba tree was an isagogwane tree.
The tales the man told! I can't wait to sift through the audio files and write something 😁
The tree was "killed" by the current fig tree in the 1960s
The tales the man told! I can't wait to sift through the audio files and write something 😁
The tree was "killed" by the current fig tree in the 1960s
The museum is small but it's rich with knowledge. It's really worth the visit, especially if you love history and good stories.
The roads are really bad though so a biggish car would be a good idea.
Me and mine came back muddy, dusty and tired.
The roads are really bad though so a biggish car would be a good idea.
Me and mine came back muddy, dusty and tired.
I'll write about all the things I discussed with the Custodian after I listen to the audios 😁
I'd never heard half of the stuff before so I'm super excited.
The place is a well of knowledge.
I hope they reconstruct it and advertise it more 😔
I'd never heard half of the stuff before so I'm super excited.
The place is a well of knowledge.
I hope they reconstruct it and advertise it more 😔
Entrance is free.
Bring an ID.
No pictures allowed inside 😕
Write a small review of the place afterwards, in the book at the entrance.
Hours: 8 am - 4:30 pm.
Don't break things.
Wear your mask and sanitize.
Bring an ID.
No pictures allowed inside 😕
Write a small review of the place afterwards, in the book at the entrance.
Hours: 8 am - 4:30 pm.
Don't break things.
Wear your mask and sanitize.
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