🪨 Matobo Hills
Zimbabwe
About This Sacred Site
The Matobo Hills (Matopos) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Zimbabwe known for their dramatic granite formations, ancient rock art, and profound spiritual significance. The hills contain some of the densest concentrations of rock art in southern Africa, created by San communities over thousands of years. The Njelele shrine within the hills is one of the most important rain-making and spiritual sites in southern Africa, where the Mwari (God) cult has been practiced for centuries. The site is also the burial place of Cecil Rhodes.
Key Facts
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003
- •Contains over 3,000 rock art sites, one of the densest concentrations in Africa
- •The Njelele shrine is one of southern Africa's most important rain-making sites
- •The Mwari oracular tradition has been practiced here for centuries
- •Cecil Rhodes chose to be buried here, calling it 'View of the World'
Location
Coordinates: -20.5500, 28.5000
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