Mitigating climate change through restoring and conserving the dry-stone walled structures of Hwange, north-western Zimbabwe

Bumbusi, Matowa, and Shangano are three significant dry-stone archaeological sites, located in northwestern Zimbabwe. They represent an important local tradition spanning from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Vital to the cultural identity of the Nambya people, these sites are heavily threatened by the impacts of climate change, like increased rainfall, soil erosion, proliferation of invasive plant species and wildlife threats. The project includes site assessments, restoration using traditional techniques, and climate adaptation measures like vegetation and animal control. Forty local youth will be trained, and community events and ethnographic research will help reconnect cultural heritage with climate resilience.