Zimbabwe has officially received back its iconic stone sculptures known as the Zimbabwe Birds, marking the end of a long cultural separation that lasted more than 100 years.
The artefacts were originally taken during the colonial era from the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe, a historic site that once served as a major political and cultural centre in Southern Africa.
The Zimbabwe Birds are carved soapstone sculptures believed to hold deep spiritual and cultural meaning, and they remain one of the country’s most important national symbols.
They are widely recognised as representations of identity and heritage, appearing on Zimbabwe’s national flag and coat of arms.
Reports indicate that the final remaining stone birds, along with ancestral human remains, have now been repatriated as part of a historic return process involving negotiations over several years.
The return is being described as a significant step in correcting colonial-era cultural losses and restoring heritage to its rightful place.
Authorities say the artefacts will be preserved and displayed in Zimbabwe as part of efforts to promote cultural education and national pride.
The development has also been welcomed as part of a wider global movement advocating for the return of African cultural treasures taken during colonial rule.
For many Zimbabweans, the return of the stone birds represents both historical justice and a renewed connection to their ancestral identity.
Source: Thepressradio.com
