Pre-colonial states and the colonial era

Pre-colonial states

• Great Zimbabwe state (about 1200–1450): built impressive dry-stone walls without mortar; economy based on cattle, farming and long-distance trade in gold and ivory with the East African coast.
• Mutapa state (from about 1450): traded with Swahili-Arab and later Portuguese merchants.
• Rozvi state (17th–19th centuries): known for strong military organisation.
• Ndebele state: founded by Mzilikazi, who settled in the south-west in the 1830s–40s; later ruled by Lobengula from Bulawayo. It was organised into regiments (amabutho).

These states had systems of government, religion, trade and law long before colonial rule.

Colonisation

• 1888: the Rudd Concession, obtained from Lobengula through misrepresentation, was used to claim mineral rights.
• 1890: the Pioneer Column of the British South Africa Company occupied Mashonaland.
• 1893: the Anglo-Ndebele war led to the occupation of Matabeleland.
• Africans lost land and cattle and had to pay taxes, which forced many into low-paid labour.

First Chimurenga/Umvukela (1896–97)

Africans in Matabeleland and Mashonaland rose against colonial rule. Spirit mediums such as Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi inspired resistance. The risings were suppressed, but they inspired later generations.

Check yourself

1. Name two items traded by the Great Zimbabwe state.
2. What was the Rudd Concession?
3. Name two leaders associated with the First Chimurenga/Umvukela.