Natural History Museum Of Zimbabwe

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BaTonga Museum

The Tonga people trace their origins back to central Africa. They arrived in Zimbabwe about AD 300.

Their forefathers favoured the riverine areas along the Zambezi, Kana, Mzola and Tshongokwe Rivers in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Here they grew their crops in the rich soils along the water, while supplementing this in a large part from the rich bounty of these areas through gathering wild plants, hunting the many wild animals and importantly fishing.

The Tonga people were displaced from the shores of the Zambezi River in the late 1950’s when Kariba Dam was built and filled. Their forced resettlement resulted in serious disruptions of the socio-economic and cultural environment of the Tonga people.

This, and the many misconceptions about the Tonga people by outsiders, encouraged the Museums service to assist in promoting their culture.

The BaTonga Community Museum – Binga

Situated in Binga on the shores of Lake Kariba the museum that was opened in September 2004, seeks to promote and empower the local communities and the Tonga culture.

It showcases the traditions, science, beliefs and ingenuity of the Tonga people in living in what many of us would perceive as a dry, hostile environment.

The rich Tonga history is recorded here.

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258 reviews on
David Reason
David Reason
26/01/2021
This is a fabulous treasure for Zimbabwe with around 7 separate galleries of very well presented exhibits such as geology, entomology, herpetology, African mammals, colonial history, local African tribes, astronomy, humankind and mycology (fungi). It also houses hundreds of thousands of specimens in around 10 Collections, including arachnids, Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), birds, snakes, plants and fungi - these Collections can be seen but by appointment only. The museum staff are pleasant and knowledgeable. There is an onsite café to pick up a snack or two and a public library of really interesting natural history books. There is also good info on the two World Heritage sites managed by the museum, these being the Matobo World View site and the Khami Ruins which are also magical places to go and visit!
Angel Bert
Angel Bert
05/12/2020
It was lovely experience
Fritz Madida
Fritz Madida
03/12/2020
Most fascinating collection of historical artefacrs
CLIVE SIBANDA J
CLIVE SIBANDA J
26/11/2020
Thank you for the important information
Thabo Pricel
Thabo Pricel
22/11/2020
Amaze balls
Nkosinathi Mdudo
Nkosinathi Mdudo
07/11/2020
Such an amazing experience