The Tonga people are located in the northwestern section of Zimbabwe
along the Kariba lake shore
The TONGA people -
archaeological evidence has been unearthed to prove their existence for
at least 900 years.
Some 500 to 600 years ago, one of the areas where the Tonga now live,
the middle Zambezi Valley, was a flourishing trade center. At a site
known as Ing'ombe Illede, fragments of pots and other goods have been
excavated that show there was trade between the valley people and Arabs
on the east coast of Africa, as well as India and China. One form of
currency used was a copper ingot cast in the form of a cross about 30
centimeters long. The copper for these crosses came from mines further
south.
The Binga Craft Centre is situated in the hot and dry Zambezi Valley in
the northwestern part of Zimbabwe. The Centre's mission is to provide
Tonga women with an opportunity to earn a living from producing their
traditional Tonga craftwork. The Centre is also an effort to preserve
the Tonga culture.
The main product of the Craft Centre is the Tonga basket. The basket is
made from the Ilala palm, found in Binga District. The Ilala is dyed
with the bark of the Barchamia Discolour (Bird Plum tree). Each basket
has its own individual design, created by the maker. The patterns used
are often symbolic of the local nature and life (guinea fowl patterns,
lightning, fish, and signs of love). The basket-making process is a
lengthy one involving cutting down the Ilala, stripping it into thin
pieces, and then boiling and drying it; collecting, pounding, and
boiling the Barchemia bark with Ilala to dye it. The Ilala is dried and
is then ready for use. It takes up to a week to make a basket,
depending on its size.
Nyaminyami,
the Zambezi River Spirit
Nyaminyami
is believed by Tonga (or Batonga) to control life on the Zambezi and
that the occasional earth tremor felt in the Lake surroundings is
caused by this Spirit.
