Great Zimbabwe Ruins: A Testament of Zimbabwe

2025.12.01
Writer / 記事を書いた人
Farie
Republic of Zimbabwe (ジンバブエ共和国)

Hello! My name is Farie. I am from Masvingo City, Zimbabwe. I feel happy when I speak to an audience. I like culture, acting, traveling and dancing. I also like looking presentable because it makes me confident and ready to meet new people.

Article

Great Zimbabwe Ruins: A Testament of Zimbabwe

▼ 記事の音声を再生

<Let's learn!>
・A , which is located in B
・name after
・so A that B
=====================================

In Zimbabwe, we have a place called “Great Zimbabwe”, which is located in the southeastern part of Zimbabwe, near the city of Masvingo. It is the historical place that the nation is named after. The name Zimbabwe came from the Shona words (one of the official languages) “dzimba dzemabwe”. This translates to 'houses of stone' or 'stone buildings' in English. Let’s take a look at this significant place.

There are many interesting facts about Great Zimbabwe. Among them is the height of the walls. It can reach about 11 meters. The massive walls were constructed without the use of any mortar to glue the millions of granite stones together. The stones were expertly shaped and fitted so perfectly that the walls have stood for centuries.

When I visited there, I experienced cultural dances, for example, Mbakumba, Dinhe, Jerusalem, and Mbende. Every dance has a different cultural meaning. Dancers put on traditional costumes as well as masks when they perform such dances.
My favorite place at Great Zimbabwe is the museum because I can see beautiful artworks, beadwork, and learn a lot about how people lived in the past. I also read about the rain-making ceremony that was performed there. The place attracts many foreigners from around the world every year. If you have the opportunity to come to Zimbabwe, I recommend this famous place in my city.

【出典】

National Arts Council Of ZImbabwe [Mbende Jerusarema Dance Festival]
https://nacz.co.zw/mbende-jerusarema-dance-festival/

日本語訳を見る

Key Points

Repeat each word(s) and example sentence(s) after your teacher/tutor.

Key Phrases 重要表現

A , which is located in B

Bに位置するA

In Australia, we have a big rock called "Uluru", which is located in the middle of the country.

name after

~を由来として名付ける、~にちなんで名づける。

The park is named after a local hero.

so A that B

とてもAなのでBだ

The book was so interesting that I finished it in one day.

Key Vocabulary 重要単語・熟語

significant

sɪɡˈnɪf·ɪ·kənt

重要な、かなりの

形容詞

important or large

Today is the significant date for me.

expertly

ˈek·spɜrt·li

巧妙に、上手に、専門的に

副詞

in a way that shows a lot of knowledge or skill

He expertly repaired the delicate watch mechanism.

shape

ˌʃeɪp

形づくる、作る

動詞

to decide the way something happens or is organized

The dough was shaped by hand before baking.

fit

fɪt

ぴったりはめ込む、合う、適する

動詞

to be the right shape or size for someone or something

The puzzle pieces were fitted together.

among

əˈmʌŋ

(通常3つ以上にて)~の中で、~の間に

前置詞

in the middle of a group, in a particular group

We saw many animals at the zoo. Among them were lions, tigers, and bears.

attract

əˈtrækt

引きつける、魅惑する

動詞

to make people come to a place or do a particular thing

Her speech attracted a lot of attention from the media.

Others その他

southeastern

ˌsɑʊθˈis·tərn

南東の、南東からの

形容詞

in or from the southeast

A strong wind is blowing from the southeastern direction.

massive

ˈmæs·ɪv

どっしりした、大きい

形容詞

very big

A massive whale was found.

granite

ˈɡræn.ɪt

花崗(かこう)岩、みかげ石

名詞

a very hard, grey, pink, or black rock, used for building

Our new kitchen countertop is made of polished granite.

beadwork

ˈbiˌdwɝk

ビーズ細工、玉縁

名詞

the art or craft of attaching beads to one another or to a base material, such as cloth, leather, or string.

You can buy handmade beadwork jewelry at the local market.

rain-making ceremony

reɪn meɪkɪŋ ˈsɛrəˌmoʊni

雨乞いの儀式

名詞

A ritual or ceremony performed to invoke or produce rain.

This book is about a rain-making ceremony.

Practice

Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence.

In New York, we have a park called "Central Park", (___)(___) (___) in the center of Manhattan.

ヒント:A, which is located in B

回答を見る

In New York, we have a park called "Central Park", (which)(is)(located) in the center of Manhattan.

He was (___)(___) his grandfather.

ヒント:name after

回答を見る

He was (named)(after) his grandfather.

It was (___) cold (___) we decided to stay inside.

ヒント:so A that B

回答を見る

It was (so) cold (that) we decided to stay inside.

Article

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your teacher/tutor.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins: A Testament of Zimbabwe

<Let's learn!>
・A , which is located in B
・name after
・so A that B
=====================================

In Zimbabwe, we have a place called “Great Zimbabwe”, which is located in the southeastern part of Zimbabwe, near the city of Masvingo. It is the historical place that the nation is named after. The name Zimbabwe came from the Shona words (one of the official languages) “dzimba dzemabwe”. This translates to 'houses of stone' or 'stone buildings' in English. Let’s take a look at this significant place.

There are many interesting facts about Great Zimbabwe. Among them is the height of the walls. It can reach about 11 meters. The massive walls were constructed without the use of any mortar to glue the millions of granite stones together. The stones were expertly shaped and fitted so perfectly that the walls have stood for centuries.

When I visited there, I experienced cultural dances, for example, Mbakumba, Dinhe, Jerusalem, and Mbende. Every dance has a different cultural meaning. Dancers put on traditional costumes as well as masks when they perform such dances.
My favorite place at Great Zimbabwe is the museum because I can see beautiful artworks, beadwork, and learn a lot about how people lived in the past. I also read about the rain-making ceremony that was performed there. The place attracts many foreigners from around the world every year. If you have the opportunity to come to Zimbabwe, I recommend this famous place in my city.

【出典】

National Arts Council Of ZImbabwe [Mbende Jerusarema Dance Festival]
https://nacz.co.zw/mbende-jerusarema-dance-festival/

Questions

Answer the questions based on the article.

What does “dzimba dzemabwe” mean in English?

ヒント:This translates to ~

回答を見る

This translates to 'houses of stone' or 'stone buildings'.

Why have the walls stood for centuries?

ヒント:Because the stones ~

回答を見る

Because the stones were expertly shaped and fitted so perfectly (that the walls have stood for centuries).

What do dancers put on when they perform?

ヒント:Dancers put on ~

回答を見る

Dancers put on traditional costumes as well as masks (when they perform dances).

Discussion

Let’s have a discussion about the theme with your teacher/tutor or classmates.

With your teacher/tutor 先生とのディスカッション

Why do you think so many foreigners visit Great Zimbabwe every year?

Because ~.

Do you know of any ruins made of stone in your country?

Yes, I do. I know ~. / No, I don't.

Have you ever experienced any traditional performances or festivals in your country?

Yes, I have. I have experienced ~./No, I haven't.

With your classmates クラスメートとのディスカッション

Have you ever had the opportunity to experience historical cultures?

Yes, I have./No, I haven't.
If yes→ I have the opportunity to experience ~.

If you were to go to a museum, what would you like to see?

I would like to see ~.

What kind of places do you like to see when you travel?

I like to see ~.