The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has announced the addition of two sites in Africa to its prestigious World Heritage List, recognizing them for their "outstanding universal value." According to a statement from the organization, the newly inscribed sites are the Diy-Gid-Biy archaeological complex in the Mandara Mountains of northern Cameroon and the Mulanje Mountain range in southern Malawi.
Diy-Gid-Biy, located in Cameroon's North Region, comprises 16 archaeological sites spread across seven villages. Its name, translated from the Mafa language, means "ruins of the chief's residence." The dry-stone structures are believed to have been erected between the 12th and 17th centuries. While the exact builders remain unknown, the Mafa people have inhabited the area since at least the 15th century.
In Malawi, the protected site consists of a vast mountain region in the south of the country, featuring Mount Mulanje—one of the world's largest inselbergs (isolated rock hills). Revered as a sacred place, the mountain holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for local communities. Its unique geological and hydrological features are deeply intertwined with the traditions and beliefs of the Yao, Mang'anja, and Lomwe peoples, who maintain the mountain's sacred status through various rituals and customs.
Earlier in July, UNESCO removed the Atsinanana rainforests in Madagascar, the ancient Egyptian city of Abu Mena, and the historic city of Ghadames in Libya from its List of World Heritage in Danger.
Anna Bespalova
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