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52-526: The Rozvi Empire (1660–1866) was a Shona state established on the Zimbabwean Plateau by Changamire Dombo . The term "Rozvi" refers to their legacy as a warrior nation, taken from the Shona term kurozva , "to plunder". They became the most powerful fighting force in the whole of Zimbabwe. In 1683, Portuguese militia tried to take control of the gold trade in the interior of Africa by invading

104-423: A bad spirit, so during life, people are guided by a culture of unhu so that when they die, they enjoy their afterlife. The Bira ceremony , which often lasts all night, summons spirits for guidance and intercession. Shona religion teaches that the only ones who can communicate with both the living and God are the ancestral spirits, or dzavadzimu . Historically, colonialists and anthropologists wanted to undermine

156-502: A cleared yard (' ruvanze ). Each hut has a specific function, such as acting as a kitchen or a lounge. Also shona architecture consist of drystone walling that goes back to the ancestors of mordern day shona people also kalanga and venda peoples. This drystone walling consist drystone walls, drystone walled stairs on hill tops and free standing drystone walls known as great Zimbabwe type drystone walling examples great Zimbabwe, chisvingo. Then there are additional types of drystone walling that

208-525: A long period of time, and further groups of immigrants have contributed to this diversity. Although "standard" Shona is spoken throughout Zimbabwe, dialects help identify a speaker's town or village. Each Shona dialect is specific to a sub-group. In 1931, during his attempt to reconcile the dialects into a single standard Shona language, Clement Doke identified five groups and subdivisions: The Shona have traditionally practiced subsistence agriculture . They grew sorghum , beans, African groundnuts , and after

260-927: A militaristic system with regimental kraals , similar to those of Shaka; under his leadership, the Matabele became strong enough to repel the Boer attacks of 1847–1851 and persuade the government of the South African Republic to sign a peace treaty with Mzilikazi in 1852. While Mzilikazi was generally friendly to European travellers, he remained mindful of the danger that they posed to his kingdom. In later years he refused some visitors access to his realm. The Europeans who met Mzilikazi included Henry Hartley , hunter and explorer; Robert Moffat , missionary; John Mackenzie , missionary; David Hume , explorer and trader; Andrew Smith , medical doctor, ethnologist and zoologist; William Cornwallis Harris , hunter; and

312-636: A millennium, declined and so the power of central governments like the Rozvi started to weaken. On top of all the challenges, the 1830s were a time of multiple invasions and wars that the Rozvi Empire never recovered completely from. In the area of modern-day South Africa, several events resulted in a mass exodus. Drought, invading Dutch settlers and the catastrophic aftermath of the Mfecane resulted in waves of Nguni tribes moving north. Successive attacks on

364-640: A strong identity for children but it serves another function of ensuring that people marry someone they know. In Shona this is explained by the proverb rooranai vematongo which means 'marry or have a relationship with someone that you know'. However, as a result of colonisation, urban areas and migration resulted in people mixing and others having relationships of convenience with people they do not know. This results in unwanted pregnancies and also unwanted babies some of whom are dumped or abandoned. This may end up with children without mutupo . This phenomenon has resulted in numerous challenges for communities but also for

416-489: Is believed to have possessed supernatural powers. He was said to be able to turn a white cow into a red one, and more. His magical ability made him feared by people and earned him respect and even more followers. The name Changamire became the honour name of all the kings who followed after him. The Rozvi's political system was hierarchical. Kingship followed a male line and the king was the highest political, religious, military, economic, judicial and social authority, as well as

468-480: Is confusion with another leader of a different people. Rulers of Rozvi State included Chirisa Mhuru and Chikuyo Chisamarenga. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Rozvi Empire faced several challenges. Like the Mwenemutapa Empire , it was federal in nature, and political tensions between allied kingdoms and the ruling dynasty resulted in some kingdoms (e.g. Manyika) and chieftainships breaking away from

520-460: Is found to be a staple in shona peoples diet due to cattle rearing being very prominent in Zimbabwe. Historically, the wealthy royals would be able to eat beef on a regular (more than three times a week), usually dried; and commoners would eat beef at least once a week, also dried. Cattle was a priced resource, normally reserved for other products like milk. Preserved milk was consumed with sadza, at

572-461: Is used to summon spirits, and the 15-key Mbira Nyunga Nyunga is taught from primary school to university. Shona music also uses percussion instruments such as the marimba (similar to a xylophone ), shakers ( ' hosho '), leg rattles, wooden clappers (' makwa' ), and the ' chikorodzi ,' a notched stick played with another stick. Both historically and in contemporary art, the Shona are known for their work in stone sculpture , which re-emerged during

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624-584: The Bakwena territory in the northwestern Transvaal , near Rustenburg . At the time the Bakwena were struggling to repel repeated attacks from a neighbouring king, who laid claim to the territory that they occupied. Nkulumane assisted the Bakwena by leading his impi in a battle in which Nkulumane himself killed the neighbouring chief. Following this victory, the Bakwena convinced Nkulumane to settle in their territory, arguing that it would be futile to return to

676-793: The British South Africa Company established the colony of Rhodesia , sparking the First Matabele War which led to the complete annexation of Mashonaland ; the Portuguese colonial government in Mozambique fought the remnants of the kingdom of Mutapa until 1911. The Shona people were also a part of the Bantu migration where they are one of the largest Bantu ethnic groups in sub Saharan Africa. The dialect groups of Shona developed among dispersed tribes over

728-583: The Limpopo River . He decided to split his group in two. One of these groups moved north under military leader by Nkulumane, Mzilikazi's first born son, and Gundwane Ndiweni , who conducted a section of the Ndebele across the Limpopo without Mzilikazi. Further attacks caused Mzilikazi to move again, at first westwards into present-day Botswana and then later northwards towards what is now Zambia . He

780-581: The Northern Ndebele language ) The administrative power of the Mutapa began to fail to control the whole empire, and tributaries began to exert more independence. A leader of the people of Guruuswa, given the title Changamire and known as Dombo, became independent from the Mutapa. When the Portuguese tried to colonize them, Changamire Dombo led rebellions against their rule. The area of

832-642: The Zulu king, Shaka . In his autobiography, David Livingstone referred to Mzilikazi as the second most impressive leader he encountered on the African continent. Mzilikazi was originally a lieutenant of Shaka . He left Zululand during the period largely known as mfecane with a large kraal of Shaka's cattle. Shaka had originally been satisfied that Mzilikazi had served the Zulu nation well and he rewarded Mzilikazi with cattle and soldiers. But after some time King Shaka of

884-560: The 1940s. Shona sculpture developed during the eleventh century and peaked in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, before beginning a slow decline until their mid-20th-century rediscovery. Most of the sculptures are made from sedimentary-stone (such as soapstone ) and depict birds or humans; though some are made with harder stone such as serpentinite . During the 1950s, Zimbabwean artists began carving stone sculptures for sale to European art collectors; these sculptures quickly became popular and were bought and exhibited at art museums around

936-593: The Buhera area. With the support of the Mutinhima and other Noble Rozvi Houses, Tohwechipi effectively became the Rozvi Mambo. Mzilikazi realized that although some of the Rozvi nobility had accepted him as King, most of the Shona did not accept him, limiting the geographic area of his Kingdom. Taking a diplomatic approach, he sent word to Tohwechipi asking him to return home and submit to him, crowning him King of

988-469: The Columbian Exchange, pumpkins; sorghum was also largely replaced by maize after the crop's introduction . The Shona also keep cattle and goats , since livestock are an important food reserve during droughts. Precolonial Shona states derived substantial revenue from the export of mining products, particularly gold and copper. Traditional clothing were usually animal skins that covered

1040-675: The Empire by the Mpanga, Ngwana, Maseko and Zwangendaba were repelled, but did much damage. Another wave of attacks followed from the group led by the Swazi Queen Nyamazanana, resulting in the capture of the capital Manyanga and the murder of the Rozvi Mambo Chirisamhuru. Contrary to the established narrative, this was not the end of the Rozvi Empire. Chirisamhuru's son, Tohwechipi escaped and went into exile in

1092-473: The Empire. Internal palace revolutions and constant attacks from the BaMangwato placed increased political pressure on the empire. Two major droughts, 1795 to 1800 and 1824 to 1829, contributed to political instability. Long-standing trading partners like the Portuguese shifted their attention to slaves, thus decreasing demand for gold; thus the Shona tradition of gold mining and trade, which had lasted almost

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1144-626: The Griqua lands near the Ghaapse mountains. He used scorched earth methods to maintain a safe distance from all surrounding kingdoms. The death toll has never been satisfactorily determined, but it is believed that the region was so depopulated that the Voortrekkers were able to occupy and take ownership of the Highveld area without opposition in the 1830s. Voortrekkers began to arrive in

1196-558: The Nyashanu area in Buhera and was buried there in Mavangwe Hills. Tohwechipi's grave is a protected national monument. The economic power of the Rozvi empire was based on cattle herding, farming, and gold mining. Crops included sorghum and millet, and the state depended heavily on subsistence farming. Livestock was important; they kept sheep, goats, cattle and chickens; men who owned much livestock had high social status. Mining

1248-485: The Portuguese off the central plateau, and the Europeans retained only a nominal presence at one of the fair-towns in the eastern highlands. Changamire brought the whole of old -day Zimbabwe under his control, forming a polity that became known as the Rozvi Empire. This powerful kingdom of warriors was to be known as the Rozvi or baLozwi people. They established their capital at Danangombe , also known as Dhlo-Dhlo (in

1300-440: The Rozvi Empire fluctuated. Its influence extended over much of present-day Zimbabwe, westward into Botswana , and southward into northeastern South Africa . The Rozvi leader Changamire Dombo was originally a herdsman in the Mutapa state, yet managed to drive away the Portuguese, earning himself support and followers, thereby enabling him to break away from the legendary Mutapa empire . Changamire Dombo, according to oral tradition,

1352-488: The Rozvi empire. However, the Rozvi, armed with their traditional spears and shields, repelled these attacks and maintained control of the gold mines, until their empire collapsed. The Rozvi were led by Changamire Dombo, and his son Kambgun Dombo whose power was based in Butua in the what is today southwestern Zimbabwe. The Rozvi were formed from several Shona states that dominated the plateau of present-day Zimbabwe . They drove

1404-419: The Rozvi were sophisticated military strategists. They were noted for using the cow-horn formation years before the great Zulu leader Shaka adopted it in the 19th century. Armed with spears, shields, bows and arrows, the aggressive Rozvi took over the Zimbabwe plateau. Names and dates taken from John Stewart's African States and Rulers (1989). Shona people The Shona people are grouped according to

1456-469: The Shona people follow Christianity , Shona traditional religious beliefs are still present across the country. A small number of the population practice the Muslim faith, often brought about by immigrants from predominantly Malawi who practice Islam. There is also a small population of Jews. In Zimbabwe the mitupo (translated as totems by colonial missionaries and anthropologists, a term which neglects

1508-494: The Shona religion in favour of Christianity. Initially, they stated that Shona did not have a God. They denigrated the way the Shona had communicated with their God Mwari , the Shona way of worship, and chosen people among the Shona. The chosen people were treated as unholy and Shona prayer was labelled as pagan. When compared with Christianity, the Shona religious perspective of afterlife, holiness, worship and rules of life ( unhu ) are similar. Although sixty to eighty percent of

1560-417: The Shona. Tohwechipi did not accept Mzilikazi's offer and instead, consolidated his power and spent the next 30 years in a series of back-and-forth raids and counter-raids with Mzilikazi and eventually Lobengula, earning the nickname Chibhamubhamu because of his army of raiders armed with rifles. Tohwechipi was defeated in battle, and surrendered in 1866 and curiously, Mzilikazi let him go. He died around 1873 in

1612-610: The Transvaal where Mzilikazi was king for 10 years. Voortrekkers discover that there was gold in Johannesburg area in 1836. This resulted in several confrontations of which Mzilikazi won several, until at length the Voortrekkers over powered Mzilikazi. The battle took two years during which the Matabele suffered heavy losses. By early 1838, Mzilikazi and his people were forced northwards and out of Transvaal altogether, across

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1664-635: The Transvaal. He attacked the Ndzundza kraal at Esikhunjini, where the Ndzundza king Magodongo and others were kidnapped and subsequently killed at the Mkobola river. For the next ten years, Mzilikazi dominated the Transvaal. Mzilikazi eliminated all opposition and reorganised the captured territory to suit the new Matabele order. In 1831, after winning a battle against the Griqua people , Mzilikazi occupied

1716-587: The Zulu Kingdom as his father's enemies would probably kill him. Nkulumane settled and lived with his family in that area until his death in 1883. His grave, covered in a concrete slab, is on the outskirts of Rustenburg in Phokeng. The site of Nkulumane's grave is incongruously referred to as Mzilikazi's Kop , even though it is his son who is buried there. After resuming his role as king, Mzilikazi founded his nation at Ntabazinduna mountain and his first capital

1768-519: The Zulu Kingdom, assassinated the twins of Mzilikazi's sister— Ntombizodwa Ka Mashobana, who was later was known as Mafakašane. This led to a greater division between Mzilikazi and Shaka. It is unclear if Mzilikazi stole Shaka's cattle or if he raided them from neighbouring tribes. He first travelled to Mozambique but in 1826 he moved west into the Transvaal due to continued attacks by his enemies. He absorbed many members of other tribes as he conquered

1820-469: The chiefs who had chosen him were put to death on his orders. A popular belief is that they were executed by being thrown down a steep cliff on the hill now called Ntabazinduna [ hill of the chiefs ]. Another account claims that Nkulumane was not killed with the chiefs, but was sent back to the Zulu Kingdom with a sizeable delegation which included warriors. During his journey south, he passed through

1872-462: The children who lack part of their identity. It is, however, possible for a child to be adopted and receive a mutupo . Shona people, as with most Bantu-speaking groups in southern Africa and central Africa, do not have Eurasian DNA. The drystone walls in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries has already proven by genetic DNA testing that the bodies of royal chiefs, kings, their wives, and children do not have any archaic Eurasian DNA. It finally put to

1924-551: The dialect of the language they speak. Their estimated population is 13.6 million: During the 11th century, the Karanga people formed kingdoms on the Zimbabwe plateau. Construction, then, began on Great Zimbabwe ; the capital of the kingdom of Zimbabwe . The Torwa dynasty ruled the kingdom of Butua , and the kingdom of Mutapa preceded the Rozvi Empire (which lasted into the 19th century). Brother succeeded brother in

1976-582: The dynasties, leading to civil wars which were exploited by the Portuguese during the 16th century. The kings ruled a number of chiefs, sub-chiefs and headmen. The kingdoms were replaced by new groups who moved onto the plateau. The Ndebele destroyed the weakened Rozvi Empire during the 1830s; the Portuguese gradually encroached on the kingdom of Mutapa, which extended to the Mozambique coast after it provided valued exports (particularly gold) for Swahili , Arab and East Asian traders. The Pioneer Column of

2028-465: The environment to communicate with his people. Some of the chosen people have powers to prophecy, heal and bless. People can also communicate with God directly through prayer. Deaths are not losses but a promotion to the stage where they can represent the living through the clan spirits. When someone dies, according to Shona religion, they join the spiritual world. In the spiritual world, they can enjoy their afterlife or become bad spirits. No one wants to be

2080-597: The front and the back, and were called ' mhapa' and ' shashiko .' These later evolved when the Shona people started trading for cloth with other groups, such as the Tsonga , and native cloths began to be manufactured. Shona traditional music 's most important instruments are ngoma drums and the mbira . The drums vary in size and shape, depending on the type of music they are accompanying. How they are played also depends on drum size and music type. Large drums are typically played with sticks, and smaller drums with an open palm;

2132-618: The grave dehumanizing claims that a pure authentic African people couldn't do anything for themselves, meant to uphold outdated racial hierarchy claims. references: Alonso A.Andelinovic S.Martin P.Sutlovic D.Erceg I.Huffine E.de Simon L. F.Albrran C.Definis-Gojanovic M.Fernandez-Rodriguez A.Garcia P.Drmic I.Rezic B.Kuret S.Sancho M.Primorac D2001 "DNA Typing from Skeletal Remains: Evaluation of Multiplex and Megaplex STR Systems on DNA Isolated from Bone and Teeth Samples" Croation Medical Journal 422001260266 Mzilikazi Mzilikazi Moselekatse, Khumalo ( c. 1790 – 9 September 1868)

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2184-439: The main distributor of land. The King was helped to rule by an advisory council made of state officials appointed by him; this consisted of his most senior wives, the crown prince, the tumbare (regent), religious leaders, military commanders and vassal chiefs. The Rozvi Empire eventually became the most powerful empire in present-day Zimbabwe. Many tales identify Dombo ('Rock') as Chikura Wadyembeu. Modern scholars agree that this

2236-574: The missionary explorer David Livingstone . After he was defeated by the Voortrekker Boers in Transvaal during the tribe's wanderings north of the Limpopo, Mzilikazi became separated from the bulk of the tribe. They gave him up for dead and hailed his young heir Nkulumane as his successor. However, Mzilikazi reappeared after a traumatic journey through the Zambezi Valley and reasserted control. According to one account, his son and all

2288-568: The organizational system) are a system of identifying clans and sub-clans, which are named after and signified by emblems, commonly indigenous animals or animal body parts. Mitupo (the plural of mutupo singular) have been used by the Shona people since the Shona culture developed. They have provided a function in avoiding incest, and also build solidarity and identity. They could be compared to heraldry in European culture. There are more than 25 mitupo in Zimbabwe. In marriage, mitupo help create

2340-433: The shona people did in Rozvi state that is platform terraces drystone walling.In what is the eastern province of Zimbabwe there is ziwa type drystone walling with cattle crawls for an indigenous Africa species of cattle still exist today and underground homes with drystone walled varandas. Sorghum and maize are used to prepare the staple dish, a thickened porridge ( sadza ), and the traditional beer known as hwahwa . Beef

2392-552: The small drum used for the ' amabhiza' dance is played with a hand and a stick. The stick rubs, or scratches, the drum to produce a screeching sound. The mbira has become a national instrument of sorts in Zimbabwe. It has a number of variants, including the nhare , mbira dzavadzimu , the Mbira Nyunga Nyunga , njari mbira , and matepe . The mbira is played at religious and secular gatherings, and different mbiras have different purposes. The 22–24-key mbira dzavadzimu

2444-452: The time made by sorghum. At present, beef is consumed normally mixed with greens, kale being the most commonly used. The traditional religion of Shona people is centred on Mwari (God), also known as Musikavanhu (Creator of man/people) or Nyadenga (one who lives high up). God communicates with his people on earth directly or through chosen family members in each family believed to be holy people . At times God uses natural phenomena and

2496-468: The world. Many of the sculptures depict the transformation of spirits into animals or vice versa, and some are more abstract. Many Zimbabwean artists carve wood and stone to sell to tourists. Pottery is also a traditionally practiced craft, with the storage and serving pots being the most decorative, contrasted with those used for cooking. In Shona clay earthenware pots are known as hari . Traditional Shona housing ( musha ) are round huts arranged around

2548-550: Was a Southern African king who founded the Ndebele Kingdom now called Matebeleland which is now part of Zimbabwe . His name means "the great river of blood". He was born the son of Mashobane kaMangethe near Mkuze , Zululand (now known as KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa ), and died at Ingama , Matabeleland (near Bulawayo , Zimbabwe). Many consider him to be the greatest Southern African military leader after

2600-460: Was a major branch and was done by men. Internal and external trade were important, especially with Arab traders, exchanging ivory , copper and gold for guns, salt, beads and sea shells. Rozvi kings revived the tradition of stone building and constructed impressive cities, now known as 'zimbabwes', throughout the southwest. Polychrome pottery was also emblematic. Warriors were armed with spears, shields, bows and arrows. Portuguese records show that

2652-620: Was at Inyathi where he ended up meeting his old friend Robert Moffat whom he had met in the Transvaal Republic when he was coming from Kuruman which was the year when his son (Nkulumane) was born, Inyathi was abandoned in 1859 when one of his senior wives, Queen Loziba, died. His next capital was established at Mhlahlandlela in Matopo District where he is buried. This became his second and last capital until he died at eNqameni near Gwanda on September 5, 1868. In 1970,

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2704-432: Was unable to settle the land there because of the prevalence of tsetse fly which carried diseases fatal to oxen. Mzilikazi therefore travelled again, this time southeastwards into what became known as Matabeleland (situated in the southwest of present-day Zimbabwe ) and settled there in 1840 where he reunited with the splinter group led by Ndiweni and Nkulumane Mzilikazi. After his arrival, he organised his followers into

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