Question:

For centuries, people believed that Great Zimbabwe was built by either by the biblical King Solomon, or by Queen Sheba, or the ancient Phoenicians from the ancient Middle East. Why do you think people believe these stories even if there was no evidence to prove it?

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In the textbook, Africa in Global History, the city of Great Zimbabwe is described as architecturally complex as it was “…laid out in a labyrinth-like pattern, with curved stone walls defining domestic spaces that were filled with clay houses… The rulers palace was an enormous elliptical building with an outer wall 35 feet high and 17 feet thick” (Harms, 150). Like with the Ife heads, the grandiosity of this city and its intricate details and design made outsiders doubtful that something as beautiful and complex could be built and engineered by Africans. This, of course, roots from the stereotype that Africans are “primitive” and incapable of creating anything other than simple art and architecture. The pattern of associating African grandiosity to other non-black/African cultures is deeply rooted in racism and white supremacy, which is why people tend to believe myths such as biblical figures and the Phoenicians being the ones behind the creation and building of grand African cities such as Great Zimbabwe. The grandiosity of Great Zimbabwe was built by Africans with complex layout and detail. People blindly believed that the Great Zimbabwe was built by either biblical King Solomon, by Queen Sheba, or the ancient Phoenicians from the ancient Middle East because of the stereotype and racism that existed against Africans. Despite the lack of evidence to prove that the Great Zimbabwe was built by non-African ancients, people could not fathom the capability and greatness of Africans to create the intricate architecture. It was common culture to believe these myths that underestimated the ability for Africans to build grand cities such as Great Zimbabwe. For years there has been a view to try to discredit Africans and the connection of Great Zimbabwe

When people are already racist/bias toward Africans, it becomes easier for them to believe that King Solomon or Queen Sheba or the Phoenicians from the ancient Middle East built Great Zimbabwe, instead than the Zimbabwe Ancestor, even without any evidence. People believe that African people arent capable of building anything that requires such great skill and talent, especially building an extensive Great Monument. Therefore, it is easier for them to believe such a myth without furthering going and researching it. I think it is fair to classify this as ignorance. This is similar to Ife head that we learned last week. The European couldn’t believe that Africans had the required technology to create such great art. When one is racist toward a race, its clear that everything they do, they will always be underestimated and be doubted.

Scholars had concluded that Great Zimbabwe was built by the ancestors of Shona, or others from Zimbabwe or other nearby countries. This proves that Africans are indeed able to make such great monuments. Again, People who are already biased against African tend to believe anything that puts Africans down-maybe to satisfy their hatred?. The YouTube video ends with such a powerful statement , The city ruins will forever bear scars of ignorance and racism, but true African origin and the greatness of its people can never be denied. I think this explains that Africans are powerful and even with racist people looking down upon them, they will always strive and prove that they are great and capable of building or making anything.