New Perspectives on the Political Economy of Great Zimbabwe

New Perspectives on the Political Economy of Great Zimbabwe

Author and Publication Details

• Author: Shadreck Chirikure

• Source: Journal of Archaeological Research, Vol. 28, No. 2 (June 2020), pp. 139-186

• Published by: Springer Nature

• JSTOR URL: Stable URL

• Accessed: 17-08-2025 19:59 UTC

• Terms of Use: Information about JSTOR's use conditions can be found at Terms & Conditions of Use.

Abstract

• This review synthesizes archaeological data with indigenous African concepts to explore the political economy of Great Zimbabwe.

• Key Points:

  • Emphasizes household-based and seasonal economic strategies over simplistic narratives of redistributive frameworks centered on exotic items from the Indian Ocean.

  • Custodial rights and power dynamics were underpinned by ideologies involving land, ancestors, and divine belief systems.

  • Economic participation was broad-based, often occurring outside the state’s governance.

• Keywords:

  • Production Mechanics, Collective Action, Circulation, Distribution, Surplus, Capillary Nature of Political Economy, Wealth-in-People

Introduction

• Political Economy Definition: Refers to the study of social relations structured around uneven access to resources and power; has historical relevance in Anglophone archaeology.

• Notable influences include:

  • Scholarly works from Mesoamerica and Mesopotamia that interrogated production, distribution, and social hierarchies.

• Recent shifts highlight the need for nuanced, localized approaches in understanding African economies, particularly Great Zimbabwe.

Historical Context and Conceptual Framework

• Early archaeological theories often framed Great Zimbabwe within Eurocentric narratives, mistakenly attributing its construction to 'advanced' foreign cultures.

• The site was briefly highlighted by Western explorers, which solidified colonial interpretations, framing locals as incapable of building such a civilization.

• Previous Phases of Understanding:

  • Phase I: Expatriate archaeologists affirming local origins by the 1960s but maintaining a Eurocentrically influenced narrative focused on gold production.

  • Phase II: Emergence of contextual approaches acknowledging local concepts and societal specificity in understanding political economies.

Historical Overview of Great Zimbabwe

• Size and Structure:

  • Great Zimbabwe covered 720 hectares and was the political center of a 50,000 km² state characterized by stone-walled buildings and extensive domestic areas.

• Cultural Significance:

  • While initially believed to be the product of external influences, comprehensive research highlighted local involvement in its establishment and maintenance.

• Temporal Occupation Phases:

  • Established a five-phase chronology documenting settlement patterns and shifts in occupation and production from AD 1000 to 1900.

Political Economy Dynamics

• Emphasizes a mixed and blended understanding of political economy rather than traditional binary frameworks:

  • Mechanics of Production: Focuses on household-based production strategies that sustain local needs.

  • Circulation and Redistribution: Specifies that circulation involved various informal exchanges, with no fixed centers governing all economic activities.

• Ideological Influences:

  • The power of local ideologies, shaped by factors such as lineage and divine right, influenced both wealth accumulation and socio-political control.

Production Evidence at Great Zimbabwe

• Metallurgy: Artifacts related to iron, copper, and gold production suggest widespread crafting activities.

• Pottery: Indicates significant production supported by evidence across various habitation periods, characterized by standardized forms suggesting a strong local tradition.

• Weaving and Soapstone Carving: Evidence of spindle whorls represents indirect indicators of weaving practices alongside a variety of soapstone artifacts, with ceremonial significance implied.

Circulation of Commodities

• Consumption Patterns: Analysis of organic and inorganic residues indicates subsistence practices were closely linked to regional networks of circulation reflecting varied economic dynamism.

• Exotic Imports: Items such as Chinese porcelain and glass beads indicate engagement in long-distance exchange practices, though their role and frequency within local contexts are nuanced and variable in perception.

Comparative Analysis of Political Economies

• A critique of earlier methodologies argues that local infrastructures, beliefs, and practices transcended simplistic interpretations of exotic trade as the primary economic driving force.

• Cultural Agency: Highlights that decisions within Great Zimbabwe were heavily influenced by local contexts and ideologies, mediating external economic influences.

Research Implications and Future Directions

• Advocates for ongoing archaeological investigation to understand multifaceted trade networks and their socio-cultural implications around Great Zimbabwe.

• Calls for a shift in perspective to appreciate the local contexts and their historicity when addressing political economies across different regions in Africa and globally.

Conclusion

• The findings encourage further scholarly engagement with African concepts to redefine understandings of political economies, steering clear of outdated and misinformed paradigms while embracing the complexity and diversity of human experiences across cultures.

References (Select)**

• Bandama, F. (2013). The Archaeology and Technology of Metal Production in the Late Iron Age of the Southern Waterberg, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

• Garlake, P. S. (1973). Great Zimbabwe.

• Mudenge, S. I. (1988). A Political History of Munhumutapa c 1400-1902.

• Smith, M. E. (2004). The archaeology of ancient state economies. Annual Review of Anthropology 33: 73-102.