Rozvi Empire

In 1683, Portuguese militia tried to take control of the gold trade in the interior of Africa by invading the Rozvi empire. The Rozvi, armed with the traditional spears and shields, were able to successfully defeat these attacks and maintain their control of the gold mines until their empire collapsed. The Rozvi were led by Changamire Dombo, and his son Kambgun Dombo[4] whose power was based in Butua in the southwest of Africa. The Rozvi were formed from several Shona states that dominated the plateau of present-day Zimbabwe at the time. They drove 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 present-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.[5] They established their capital at Danangombe, also known as Dhlo-Dhlo (the Ndebele name).

Many sources see the Rozvi not as a recovering segment of the Mutapa people, but in fact a people in its own right emerging under the wing of the Mutapa (compare the rise of the Khumalo from under the Zulu nation). The administrative power of the Mutapa began to fail in its control of 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 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 herdsmen 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, 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 the main distributor of land. The King was helped to rule by an advisory council made up of state officials appointed by him; this consisted of his most senior wives, the crown prince, the tumbare (regent), religious leaders, military commanders and also 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 is confusion with another leader of a different people. Rulers of Rozvi State included Chirisa Mhuru and Chikuyo Chisamarenga.

The Rozvi kings revived the tradition of building in stone and constructed impressive cities, now known as 'zimbabwes', throughout the southwest. Polychrome pottery was also emblematic of its culture. The Rozvi empire had many economic branches but agriculture was its backbone. They planted crops such as sorghum and millet and the state depended heavily on subsistence farming. Livestock was also another important agricultural branch. They kept animals such as sheep, goats, cattle and chickens; those with many livestock were considered rich and were accorded very high economic status within the society. Trade was another important economic activity and the Rozvi practiced both internal and external trade. From foreign traders they obtained imported goods such as guns, salt, beads and sea shells; in return they bartered ivory, copper and gold. Mining was another major branch and was done by males. The warriors were armed with spears, shields, bows and arrows when they raided others or defended their state.

Its warriors were known to be violent; this earned them the name rozvi, meaning plunders or destroyers. They became the most powerful fighting force in the whole of Zimbabwe.[5]

The economic power of the Rozvi empire was based on cattle wealth and farming, with significant gold mining. They established connections with Arab traders, in which valuable items such as gold, copper, and ivory were exchanged for imported luxury goods.

Records from the Portuguese show that 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.[5]

The founder of the Rozvi Empire, Changamire Dombo, has been linked to supernatural abilities, according to oral tradition. It has been asserted that the Changamire was gifted with the ability to change the color of cattle and with rain-making capabilities. Oral tradition asserts that Dombo was a charismatic figure, a character trait that contributed immensely to the strength of the Rozvi army. Debates among historians have risen time and time again concerning the alleged powers of The Changamire.

According to Nyathi, the Rozvi Kingdom came to an end in the wake of the arrival of the Swazi band under the leadership of Queen Nyamazana Dlamini. The small group comprised the breakaway remnants from King Zwangendaba Jele's group. I would soon get to know that at the time of the demise of the Rozvi State the senior houses had already relocated to the eastern part of the country. The junior house to which Tjilisamhulu belonged remained behind. The Mambo who was killed by the Swazi belonged to that house.[3] The last King, Tohwechipi was killed while running away from invaders. in 1968, he was killed at Mavangwe Hill, in Buhera where is grave is a protected national monument today.

The mambo Dynasty was revised on 7 September 2019 when King Mike Moyo was installed as the new Mambo or Changamire of the Rozvi Kingdom.[3] The installation took place at Ngondoma homestead near Mawabeni (Matabeleland South province). The event was attended by Chiefs Makoni and Svosve, from Rusape and Marondera respectively. Among those present were chiefs Musarurwa, Chiduku, Muusha, Kareya, Ngezi, Mawarire, Bere, Mashayamombe, Murinye, Tangwena, Saunyama, Serima and Gutu, among several others.[3]

• Dhlo-Dhlo